Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 11: Q16 P (page 359)

Would you expect lysozyme to hydrolyze cellulose? Why or why not?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Lysozyme is not anticipated to break down cellulose. Lysozyme is unable to hydrolyze the glycosidic bond in cellulose.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of "Lysozyme"

An enzyme called lysozyme is present in body fluids including saliva, milk, and tears.

02

Step 2: Expectation of lysozyme to hydrolyze cellulose

An enzyme called lysozyme breaks the glycosidic C-O link between N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid. A polysaccharide called cellulose is made up of glucose residues joined together by β1→4glycosidic linkages.

The lysozyme, as can be seen, hydrolyzes the links, but it only binds to substrates that include N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid. This leads us to the conclusion that cellulose's glycosidic bond cannot be hydrolyzed by lysozyme.

Hence, lysozyme is not expected to hydrolyze cellulose.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Design a chloromethylketone inhibitor of elastase.

Studies at different pH’s show that an enzyme has two catalytically important residues whose pKs are ~4 and ~10. Chemical modification experiments indicate that a Glu and a Lys residue are essential for activity. Match the residues to their pKs and explain whether they are likely to act as acid or base catalysts.

Question: Explain why RNase A cannot catalyze the hydrolysis of DNA

Using the reaction shown in Box 11-1 (the attack of an amine on thecarbonyl group of a ketone) as a starting point, draw curved arrows torepresent the acid-catalyzed reaction (when the group —A—H is present).


Hemophiliacs who lack factor IX are sometimes given infusions of factor VII to restore normal blood clotting activity. Explain.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

Ecology

Read Explanation

Ecosystems

Read Explanation

Organ Systems

Read Explanation

Cellular Energetics

Read Explanation

Ecological Levels

Read Explanation

Cells

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free