What is the functions of lysozyme in DNA extraction?

Answer 1

Usually DNA is obtained from bacterial cultures. To break the bacterial cell wall, there are several options (e.g., sonications, change in atmospheric pressure, etc.), however, there is another and milder method that many molecular biologists prefer in order to protect the DNA content the more possible, especially when the DNA that is wanted is related to plasmids. To do this, researchers uses the enzyme lysozyme in a coctail to digest cell walls, because lysozyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of polysaccharides that occur in the glycopeptide layer of bacterial cell walls. After lysozyme digestion, a mild detergent is added (e.g., SDS) to finish the cell wall breakdown.

Answer 2

Lysozyme helps break down bacterial cell walls during DNA extraction, allowing for the release of DNA from the bacterial cells. This enzyme is particularly helpful in isolating DNA from gram-positive bacteria, which have thicker cell walls compared to gram-negative bacteria.

Answer 3

Lysozyme is an enzyme that is used during DNA extraction to degrade the cell wall.