lysozyme

views updated Jun 27 2018

lysozyme A bacteriolytic enzyme that is found in a number of biological fluids, including tears, saliva, and egg white. It facilitates the hydrolysis of structural polysaccharides in the cell walls of bacteria.

lysozyme

views updated May 17 2018

lysozyme An antibacterial enzyme widely distributed in body fluids and secretions, including tears and saliva. It disrupts the polysaccharide components of bacterial cell walls, leaving them susceptible to destruction.

lysozyme

views updated May 23 2018

lysozyme (ly-sŏ-zym) n. an enzyme found in tears and egg white. It catalyses the destruction of the cell walls of certain bacteria.