Question

Which of the following is not the correctly matched pair of organism and its respective cell wall degrading enzyme?

• A. Fungi – Chitinase
• B. Algae – Methylase
• C. Plant cells – Cellulase
• D. Bacteria – Lysozyme

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Why Algae Do Not Produce Methylase as Their Cell Wall-Degrading Enzyme 

Algae are a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms found in aquatic environments. Unlike bacteria and fungi, they do not produce methylase as a cell wall-degrading enzyme. This article explores the reasons behind this biological phenomenon.

1. Composition of Algal Cell Walls

The structure of the algal cell wall differs significantly from that of bacteria and fungi. The major components of algal cell walls include:

• Cellulose - Present in most green algae
• Pectin and Hemicellulose - Provide additional support
• Silica - Found in diatoms
• Calcium carbonate - Found in red algae like coralline algae

2. Role of Methylase in Other Organisms

Methylase enzymes are primarily associated with bacteria and fungi, where they modify specific functional groups in complex biomolecules. These functions include:

• DNA methylation - Protects bacterial DNA from restriction enzymes.
• Cell wall modification - Helps in degradation and remodeling of bacterial or fungal cell walls.

3. Why Algae Do Not Require Methylase

The absence of methylase in algae as a cell wall-degrading enzyme can be attributed to:

1. Different Cell Wall Composition: Algal cell walls are composed mainly of cellulose, silica, and pectin, which do not require methylation for structural modifications.
2. Alternative Enzymes: Algae use cellulases, pectinases, and other hydrolytic enzymes to modify or degrade their cell walls when necessary.
3. Lack of Peptidoglycan: Unlike bacteria, algae do not have peptidoglycan layers in their cell walls, eliminating the need for methylation-based modifications.

4. Conclusion

Algae have evolved different enzymatic pathways to modify their cell walls, relying on cellulases and pectinases rather than methylase. The structural composition of algal cell walls does not necessitate methylation-based degradation, distinguishing them from bacteria and fungi.