Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement (I): Mesosomes are the folded invaginations of bacterial plasma membrane that help in cell division
Statement (II): Mesosomes reduce the surface area of plasma membrane
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• A. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are true.
• B. Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are false.
• C. Statement (I) is true but Statement (II) is false.
• D. Statement (I) is false but Statement (II) is true.

Hint:

Any cellular invagination (such as mesosomes in bacteria or cristae in mitochondria) increases the membrane surface area to maximize biological activity.
This makes Statement (II) false.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Mesosomes are folded, internal membranous structures observed primarily in Gram-positive bacteria, formed by the invagination of the plasma membrane.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate each of the statements describing mesosomes:
Statement (I) describes the structure and function of mesosomes.
Mesosomes are folded invaginations of the bacterial plasma membrane that are often found associated with the nucleoid.
They are involved in DNA replication, cross-wall septum formation, and chromosome distribution during cell division.
Therefore, Statement (I) is correct.
Statement (II) describes the physical impact of these invaginations on the membrane.
Any fold or invagination of a biological membrane increases its surface area, providing more space for membrane-associated enzymatic activities, such as cellular respiration and cell wall synthesis.
Thus, mesosomes increase, rather than reduce, the surface area of the plasma membrane.
Therefore, Statement (II) is incorrect.
Comparing these points, Statement (I) is true and Statement (II) is false.

Step 3: Final Answer:
This combination corresponds to option (C).