Question

PPLO is the smallest cell.
(a)True
(b)False

Answer 1

Hint: Mycoplasma is the smallest free-living organism. They are pleomorphic and may present as small spherical shapes to long branching filaments.

Complete answer:
Mycoplasma was earlier known as the PPLO or Pleuropneumonia like organisms. They represent the fungus-like form of branching filaments. The size of PPLO ranges from 0.1-0.3 micrometers. Thus, it is the smallest living cell. The general characteristics of PPLO are-
-They are devoid of a rigid cell wall which makes it highly pleomorphic. They possess a triple-layered cell membrane which is rich in cholesterol and other lipids.
-They are so small that they even pass through bacterial filters.
-They are generally parasitic or saprophytic.
-Due to the absence of a cell wall, they are resistant against certain antibiotics like penicillin.
-They can be inhibited by antiseptic solutions like cetrimide and chlorhexidine.
-They have been observed to cause atypical pneumonia, urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, etc.
-They differ from viruses in containing both RNA and DNA and can reproduce in cell-free media.
-They generally reproduce by binary fission or budding.
So, the correct answer is ‘True’.

Note: Mycoplasma was first isolated from bovine pleuropneumonia by Nocard and Roux in 1898. They are Gram-negative organisms but generally stained by the Giemsa stain. It is the smallest living cell while viruses are the smallest structures present on this earth. All mycoplasma except Acholeplasma, require sterols for their growth.