What observation should be made after adding lysozyme to the resuspended bacterial pellet?

What observation should be made after adding lysozyme to the resuspended bacterial pellet?

• A. The pellet should glow under UV light
• B. The bacteria should multiply rapidly
• C. The cell walls will start digesting
• D. The solution should become clear

Answer: (C)

When lysozyme is added to a resuspended bacterial pellet, the correct observation is that the cell walls will start digesting. Lysozyme is an enzyme that specifically targets the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell walls, breaking down the bonds between the sugar and amino acid components that provide structural integrity to the wall. This enzymatic activity leads to the lysis of the bacterial cells, as the weakened cell wall causes the cells to break open. This process typically results in the release of cellular contents into the solution. Additionally, if enough cells are lysed, you may observe a change in the clarity of the solution, but the focus should be on the fact that the cell walls are being digested, leading to cell lysis. Observations such as the solution becoming clear may occur as a secondary effect but are not the primary reaction you would assess immediately after adding lysozyme. Looking at the other options, the glowing under UV light is associated with the presence of GFP, not the effect of lysozyme. Rapid multiplication of bacteria would not be observed following the addition of lysozyme, as the bacteria are being lysed rather than growing.

When lysozyme is added to a resuspended bacterial pellet, the correct observation is that the cell walls will start digesting. Lysozyme is an enzyme that specifically targets the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell walls, breaking down the bonds between the sugar and amino acid components that provide structural integrity to the wall. This enzymatic activity leads to the lysis of the bacterial cells, as the weakened cell wall causes the cells to break open.

This process typically results in the release of cellular contents into the solution. Additionally, if enough cells are lysed, you may observe a change in the clarity of the solution, but the focus should be on the fact that the cell walls are being digested, leading to cell lysis. Observations such as the solution becoming clear may occur as a secondary effect but are not the primary reaction you would assess immediately after adding lysozyme.

Looking at the other options, the glowing under UV light is associated with the presence of GFP, not the effect of lysozyme. Rapid multiplication of bacteria would not be observed following the addition of lysozyme, as the bacteria are being lysed rather than growing.