Q.78 Granules are inclusion bodies found in bacteria. Which of the following statements are true
about granules?
(i) Granules can be storage vessels for carbohydrates/lipids
(ii) Some granules supply substances for a variety of metabolic processes
(iii) Granules are dissolved in cytoplasm
(iv) Granules are membrane–enclosed structures
(A) (ii) and (iii) (B) (iii) and (iv) (C) (i) and (ii) (D) (i) and (iii)

Granules in bacteria serve as cytoplasmic inclusion bodies primarily for nutrient storage. The correct answer to the multiple-choice question is (C) (i) and (ii), as these statements accurately describe their roles and properties.​

Option Analysis

(i) Granules can be storage vessels for carbohydrates/lipids: True. Examples include glycogen granules for carbohydrates and poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) granules for lipids, acting as energy reserves.​

(ii) Some granules supply substances for a variety of metabolic processes: True. Volutin (polyphosphate) granules provide phosphate for energy metabolism (e.g., ATP synthesis), and sulfur granules support oxidation processes.​

(iii) Granules are dissolved in cytoplasm: False. Granules exist as distinct, visible aggregates or particles suspended in the cytoplasm, not dissolved.​

(iv) Granules are membrane-enclosed structures: False. Bacterial granules like glycogen, PHB, and volutin lack membranes; they are naked inclusion bodies, unlike eukaryotic storage vesicles.​

Bacterial granules inclusion bodies play a crucial role in prokaryotic cells by storing essential nutrients. These structures help bacteria survive nutrient fluctuations, making them vital for CSIR NET Life Sciences preparation.

Types of Bacterial Granules

• Carbohydrate granules: Glycogen stores, stained brown with iodine.​

• Lipid granules: PHB granules as carbon/energy reserves, stained with Nile red.​

• Polyphosphate (volutin) granules: Metachromatic, supply phosphate for metabolism.​

• Sulfur granules: Used in sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.​

Key Characteristics

Bacterial granules inclusion bodies remain distinct in cytoplasm without dissolving or membrane enclosure. They support metabolic processes like energy production.​