Lysozyme lab

the cell wall of gram positive bacteria is composed of ___% peptidoglycan.

90

how does lysozyme specifically affect peptidoglycan?

Lysozyme degrades the B 1-4 bond between NAG and NAM causing breaks in the lattice and weakening the cell wall. As a result, the solute pressure of the cytoplasm can cause the cell membrane to rupture resulting in lysis

what is the function of peptidoglycan in bacterial cells?

The two main functions of peptidoglycan in bacteria are to maintain the shape of the cell and to counteract the high osmotic pressure of the protoplast- preventing lysis

where in nature can lysozyme be found? why is it produced in these environments?

found in most body fluids such as tears and saliva. Lysozyme protects our eyes from infection bc the bacteria that try to establish infection undergo lysis from the lysozyme in tears.

Why did the lysozyme affect the test organisms differently?

gram (-) bacteria are more resistant to lysozyme than gram (+) bacteria bc of the outer membrane preventing lysozyme from reaching the peptidoglycan layer.

Based on the results, what might one conclude about the types of bacteria that are involved in eye infections?

gram negative bacteria would be more resistant to lysozyme so it would be most prevalent in eye infections.

a polymer of alternating N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG) and N-acetyl-muramic acid (NAM), which are covalently linked by a B (1-4) bond.

peptidoglycan

what was the purpose of including a quadrant to which no lysozyme was added?

to serve as a negative control