Which term refers to the protective coating that can cover the cell wall in some bacteria?

• A. Capsule
• B. Endospore
• C. Pilli
• D. Monerans

Answer: (A)

The protective coating described is a capsule. This is a slimy, well-organized layer that sits outside the cell wall in some bacteria, usually made of polysaccharides (and sometimes proteins). It helps the bacteria resist desiccation and, importantly, evade the host’s immune system by blocking phagocytosis, which is why capsule-bearing bacteria can be more virulent. In contrast, an endospore is a dormant survival structure inside a bacterium, not a coating around the wall; pili are hair-like appendages used for attachment or DNA transfer; and monerans is an old term for bacteria, not a specific cellular coating.