Which enzyme can hydrolyse peptidoglycans

Options

A. Amylase
B. Lipase
C. Trypsin
D. Lysozyme

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Peptidoglycans**:
- Peptidoglycans are major structural components of bacterial cell walls. They consist of glycan chains made up of repeating units of N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid. These chains are cross-linked by peptide side chains.

2. **Analyzing the Options**:
- The question provides four options: amylase, lipase, trypsin, and lysozyme. We need to determine which of these enzymes can hydrolyze peptidoglycans.

3. **Evaluating Amylase**:
- Amylase is an enzyme that hydrolyzes glycosidic bonds in starch, converting complex carbohydrates into simple sugars. Since it specifically targets starch and not peptidoglycans, amylase is not the correct answer.

4. **Evaluating Lipase**:
- Lipase is responsible for breaking down triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol. It does not act on peptidoglycans, making lipase another incorrect option.

5. **Evaluating Trypsin**:
- Trypsin is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of peptide bonds, breaking down proteins into smaller peptides. While it hydrolyzes peptide bonds, it does not specifically target the peptidoglycan structure, so trypsin is also not the correct answer.

6. **Evaluating Lysozyme**:
- Lysozyme is a naturally occurring enzyme found in various bodily secretions such as tears, saliva, and milk. It acts as an antimicrobial agent by cleaving the peptidoglycan components of bacterial cell walls, leading to cell death. This makes lysozyme the correct answer to the question.

7. **Conclusion**:
- The enzyme that can hydrolyze peptidoglycans is **lysozyme**.