Which of the following are antimicrobial proteins/peptides?
A) None of these answers
B) Lysosome
C) Lysowyme
D) Siderophores
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B) Lysozyme.
Explanation:
Lysozyme is an antimicrobial protein that plays a crucial role in the body’s innate immune system. It is an enzyme that breaks down the cell wall of certain bacteria, specifically by cleaving the bonds between sugars in the bacterial cell wall’s peptidoglycan layer. This action makes lysozyme an effective agent in preventing bacterial infections. It is found in various body fluids such as tears, saliva, mucus, and even in human breast milk. By breaking down bacterial cell walls, lysozyme helps reduce bacterial load, providing a first line of defense against infections.
Now, let’s address the other options:
- A) None of these answers: This is incorrect because lysozyme is indeed an antimicrobial protein.
- C) Lysowyme: This seems to be a misspelling of lysozyme, which, as explained, is an antimicrobial protein. The term “lysowyme” itself does not exist in scientific literature, so it’s not a correct answer.
- D) Siderophores: Siderophores are small molecules that bacteria and fungi produce to scavenge iron from the environment, particularly in iron-limited conditions. Although they play a role in bacterial survival and virulence by securing iron, they are not antimicrobial proteins. Instead, they are involved in iron acquisition, which indirectly supports bacterial growth, not bacterial killing.
In summary, lysozyme is the correct answer, as it directly acts to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria through its enzymatic breakdown of their cell walls.