Lysozyme is an enzyme found in tears that destroys the cell wall of bacterial cells
True
False
The correct answer and explanation is:
True
Lysozyme is an enzyme found in tears, as well as in other bodily fluids like saliva and mucus. It plays an important role in the body’s defense against bacterial infections. Lysozyme acts by breaking down the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell walls. Peptidoglycan is a polymer that provides structural support to bacterial cells, especially in Gram-positive bacteria, which have a thick peptidoglycan layer. By breaking down this component, lysozyme weakens the bacterial cell wall, making the bacteria more susceptible to osmotic pressure, leading to cell lysis (destruction).
Lysozyme is considered part of the body’s innate immune system, as it provides a first line of defense against pathogens before the adaptive immune system is activated. Its presence in tears is particularly important, as it helps protect the eyes from potential infections by destroying bacteria that come into contact with the surface of the eye. This is essential in preventing eye infections such as conjunctivitis.
Moreover, lysozyme has broader antimicrobial activity beyond just bacterial cell wall degradation. It also has some antiviral properties and can affect the integrity of certain viruses, although its primary function is aimed at bacterial pathogens. However, its effectiveness can vary depending on the type of bacteria and the environmental conditions. For example, some bacteria have evolved mechanisms to protect their cell walls from lysozyme, rendering the enzyme less effective in those cases. Nonetheless, lysozyme remains a crucial enzyme in the body’s defense mechanism against infection.