Chapter 20, Problem 4SA

Summary Introduction

To answer:

The four effects that mycolic acid in the cell wall of Mycobacterium leprae have on the microbe’s growth rate and resistance to antimicrobial drugs.

Introduction:

Mycobacterium leprae is an intracellular pathogenic bacterium that causes leprosy. The bacteria that engulfs the cells of the nervous system not only affects it directly, but the toxins released by bacteria growing elsewhere in the body can also affect the neurons. The symptoms of leprosy include granuloma of nerves, skin and respiratory tract.