What will happen if a bacterial cell is pretreated with a lysozyme solution, then placed in distilled water?
A) Lysozyme will diffuse into the cell.
B) Water will leave the cell.
C) The cell will undergo osmotic lysis.
D) The cell will plasmolyze.
E) No change will result; the solution is isotonic.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lysozyme breaks down the cell wall of bacteria. Without the cell wall, the bacterial cell is vulnerable to osmotic pressure. When placed in distilled water, which is hypotonic, water will enter the cell, causing it to swell and eventually burst, a process known as osmotic lysis.

What Will Happen If a Bacterial Cell Is Pretreated with a Lysozyme