Asked in PMC Practice Test 10 (2021) 2021

Which enzyme is released to dissolve bacterial cell wall by bacteriophages?

Correct answer: B. lysozymes

  • A. lysosomes
  • B. lysozymes
  • C. ligase
  • D. both a and b

Explanation

Option A: Lysosomes are organelles found in animal cells that contain various enzymes capable of breaking down cellular waste and foreign material. However, lysosomes are not directly involved in the dissolution of bacterial cell walls by bacteriophages. Option B: Lysozymes are enzymes that can break down the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell walls. Bacteriophages release lysozymes as part of their infection process to weaken and ultimately dissolve the bacterial cell wall, allowing them to enter the bacterial cell and replicate. Option C: Ligase is an enzyme involved in the joining of DNA or RNA strands by catalyzing the formation of phosphodiester bonds. Ligases are not directly responsible for dissolving bacterial cell walls. Option D: This option suggests that both lysosomes and lysozymes are released by bacteriophages to dissolve bacterial cell walls. However, lysosomes are not typically involved in this process, so the correct answer is B) lysozymes.

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