Consider the following image of porphyromonas gingivalis viewed using transmission electron microscopy.
a mutant strain of this bacterium that lacked the thin protein fibrils shown here would likely be unable to do what?
choose one:
transfer dna to another cell via conjugation
exhibit swimming motility
colonize host cells
resist dessication
bind to and transport nutrients

Colonize host cells

Explanation:

Bacteria commonly have proteinaceous appendages on their surfaces, called pili or fimbriae, that are used to attach surfaces or host cells, accumulate bacterias (biofilm), persist and start an infection.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a gram-negative bacteria know as one the etiological agents of periodontal infections. In P. gingivalis is well know that fimbriae (which ones are the long and thin structures  sounding the bacteria shown in the image) are a critical factor to attach to cells host and develop periodontitis. If P. gingivalis has a mutation and lack of this fimbriae, it couldn’t attach and colonize the  host cells and can´t start an infection.

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