In bacterial cells ,the outermost layer of the cell envelope can either be a

Options

A. Cell wall or plasma membrane
B. Lamellae or slime layer
C. Slime layer or capsule
D. Plasma membrane or lamellae

Answer

To solve the question regarding the outermost layer of the cell envelope in bacterial cells, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Bacterial Cell Structure**:
- Bacterial cells have a cell envelope that consists of multiple layers. The outermost layer can vary depending on the type of bacteria (Gram-positive or Gram-negative).

2. **Identifying the Types of Bacteria**:
- **Gram-negative bacteria**: These bacteria have a thin layer of peptidoglycan surrounded by an outer membrane composed of lipopolysaccharides. They may also have a slime layer.
- **Gram-positive bacteria**: These bacteria have a thick layer of peptidoglycan and do not have an outer membrane. They may have a capsule on the outside.

3. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Option A (Cell wall or plasma membrane)**: The cell wall is not the outermost layer in many bacteria, especially Gram-negative ones.
- **Option B (Lamella or slime layer)**: Lamella is not a commonly recognized outer layer in bacteria.
- **Option C (Slime layer or capsule)**: This option includes both the slime layer (found in some bacteria) and the capsule (found in many bacteria, especially Gram-positive).
- **Option D (Plasma membrane or lamella)**: The plasma membrane is not the outermost layer in Gram-negative bacteria.

4. **Conclusion**:
- The correct answer is **Option C (slime layer or capsule)**, as both of these can serve as the outermost layer of the cell envelope in different types of bacteria.

### Final Answer:
**C. Slime layer or capsule**

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