Step 1: Understanding the Question:
Mollicutes (including Phytoplasmas and Mycoplasmas) are a unique class of bacteria that are significantly different from standard walled bacteria. The question asks to identify their defining biological and medical properties.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
• Lack of cell wall (A and C): Mollicutes are the only prokaryotes that naturally lack a cell wall. Because they only have a flexible triple-layered plasma membrane, they do not have a fixed shape and are described as pleomorphic.
• Antibiotic Sensitivity (B and D):
- Penicillin: This antibiotic works by inhibiting the synthesis of the peptidoglycan cell wall. Since Mollicutes have no cell wall, penicillin has no target and they are inherently resistant (Statement B is true).
- Tetracycline: This antibiotic inhibits protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit. Mollicutes have standard bacterial ribosomes and are generally highly sensitive to tetracycline. Therefore, Statement D ("Resistance to tetracycline") is False.
• Parasitism (E): Most known species are parasites of animals, humans, or plants (Phytoplasmas), often residing within host cells or tissues.
Final Answer:
The correct properties are A, B, C, and E. Resistance to tetracycline is not a property of this group. Thus, option (D) is the correct choice.