Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Biotechnology -Principles and Processes

Question:

Which of the following enzymes is used to break down plant cell walls?

Options:

Lysozyme

Cellulase

Protease

Ribonuclease

Correct Answer:

Cellulase

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (2) – Cellulase

  • Lysozyme: This enzyme breaks down bacterial cell walls by hydrolyzing the bonds in peptidoglycan, which is a major component of bacterial cell walls. It is not effective against plant cell walls, which are composed mainly of cellulose.
  • Cellulase: Cellulase is an enzyme that breaks down cellulose, a complex carbohydrate found in the cell walls of plants.
  • Protease: This enzyme breaks down proteins by hydrolyzing peptide bonds. While proteases are important for many biological processes, they do not break down cellulose and therefore are not used to degrade plant cell walls.
  • Ribonuclease: This enzyme degrades RNA by hydrolyzing the phosphodiester bonds between nucleotides. It is not involved in breaking down cell walls, whether bacterial or plant.

Therefore, the correct answer is cellulase, as it is the enzyme that breaks down the cellulose in plant cell walls.