Which of the following pairs is mismatched?
a. metachromatic granules—stored phosphates
b. polysaccharide granules—stored starch
c. lipid inclusions—poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid
d. sulfur granules—energy reserve
e. ribosomes—protein storage

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the function or composition of each cellular component mentioned in the options.
2. Recall that metachromatic granules are known for storing phosphates, which matches option a.
3. Understand that polysaccharide granules typically store starch, which matches option b.
4. Recognize that lipid inclusions often contain poly-β-hydroxybutyric acid, which matches option c.
5. Note that sulfur granules are used as an energy reserve, which matches option d.
6. Remember that ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis, not storage, which makes option e mismatched.

Key Concepts

Granule Types in Microbiology

Granules are intracellular storage bodies found in bacteria that serve as reserves of nutrients. Different types of granules store specific substances, such as metachromatic granules for phosphates, polysaccharide granules for carbohydrates, and lipid inclusions for fats. Understanding the function and composition of these granules is essential for identifying mismatches in their descriptions.

Ribosomes and Protein Synthesis

Ribosomes are cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis, not protein storage. They translate messenger RNA into polypeptide chains, which then fold into functional proteins. This distinction is crucial for understanding the role of ribosomes in cellular metabolism and why they do not serve as storage granules.

Energy Reserves in Bacteria

Bacteria utilize various compounds as energy reserves, including sulfur granules, which can serve as an energy source under anaerobic conditions. Understanding how different granules function as energy reserves helps clarify their biological roles and the implications of mismatched pairings in the question.