(4 pts) Researchers sometimes remove the cell walls of living bacteria so that DNA can more easily be introduced into the wall - less cell that results. For example, protoplasts can be made by incubating gram
- positive bacteria with lysozyme in an isotonic solution.

Could lysozyme treatment be used to remove the cell wall of Nocardia species?
Circle your answer:
Yes
No
Succinctly explain your answer.

Question

(4 pts) Researchers sometimes remove the cell walls of living bacteria so that DNA can more easily be introduced into the wall - less cell that results. For example, protoplasts can be made by incubating gram
- positive bacteria with lysozyme in an isotonic solution.

Could lysozyme treatment be used to remove the cell wall of Nocardia species?
Circle your answer:
Yes
No
Succinctly explain your answer.

Accepted Answer

∻Answer∻ ⚹ No ⚹ ∻Solution∻ ‖ a ⋮ Nocardia species are gram-positive bacteria with a unique cell wall structure that contains mycolic acids, making them partially acid-fast. ‖‖ b ⋮ Lysozyme is an enzyme that targets the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell walls, which is effective in gram-positive bacteria. ‖‖ c ⋮ However, the presence of mycolic acids in Nocardia species provides additional resistance to lysozyme treatment, making it ineffective for removing their cell walls. ‖ ∻Key Concept∻ ⚹ Lysozyme treatment and bacterial cell wall structure ⚹ ∻Explanation∻ ⚹ Lysozyme is effective against the peptidoglycan layer of gram-positive bacteria, but Nocardia species have mycolic acids that provide resistance, making lysozyme treatment ineffective for removing their cell walls. ⚹◊How does lysozyme function in breaking down bacterial cell walls?⍭ Generate me a similar question◊

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