The thermoacidophile Sulfolobus acidocaldarius lacks peptidoglycan, but still possesses a cell wall. Which of the following statements is likely to be an accurate description of this species?

a. The optimal pH of its enzymes will lie above pH 7.

b. It is a bacterium.

c. It could inhabit hydrothermal springs.

d. It could inhabit alkaline hot springs.

The correct answer is option c. "It could inhabit hydrothermal springs".

Explanation:

A thermoacidophile species, such as Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, belong to the archaea phylum and is resistant to both high temperatures and highly acidic conditions. The adaptions of this species include that the optimal pH of its enzyme will lie below pH 7, since those are acidic conditions. Also, thermoacidophile species can inhabit hydrothermal springs, since they can live in high temperature conditions.

c and d

Explanation:

A species of an organism with cell wall that lacks peptidoglycan is definitely not a bacterium because bacterial cell walls usually have peptidoglycan.

One particular group of organisms whose cells have cell walls but lack peptidoglycan is Archaea.

Archaea represents a group of prokaryotes that are able to survive in extreme conditions such as high temperature, pressure and salinity. As such, they could inhabit hydrothermal springs as well as alkaline hot springs.

Hence, thermoacidophile Sulfolobus acidocaldarius is likely to be an Archaea and could inhabit both hydrothermal springs and alkaline hot springs.

The correct option is option c and d.