Which enzyme is responsible for digesting the membrane in bacterial cells?

Lysozyme

The correct answer is Option (3) - Lysozyme

In bacterial cells, the enzyme responsible for digesting the cell membrane is called lysozyme. Lysozyme is an enzyme that breaks down the peptidoglycan layer, which is a major component of the bacterial cell wall. By targeting and hydrolyzing the bonds in the peptidoglycan, lysozyme weakens the cell wall, causing the bacterial cell to lose its structural integrity and leading to cell lysis or bursting. This process is essential in various biological contexts, including the host defense against bacterial infections and in recombinant DNA technology during the isolation of plasmids from bacterial cells.

(1) Chitinase: Chitinase is an enzyme that breaks down chitin, a structural polysaccharide found in the cell walls of fungi and some bacteria. It is not commonly used to digest bacterial cell membranes.

(2) Cellulase: Cellulase is an enzyme that breaks down cellulose, a complex carbohydrate found in the cell walls of plants and some bacteria. It is not used to digest bacterial cell membranes.

(4) Lipase: Lipase is an enzyme that breaks down lipids (fats). It is not used to digest bacterial cell membranes.

So, the correct answer is option (3) lysozyme, as it specifically targets the peptidoglycan layer in bacterial cell walls for digestion.