What plays an important role in making bacteria susceptible to osmotic lysis?

Lysozymes are enzymes that play a crucial role in breaking down the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell walls. This peptidoglycan is a vital structural component that maintains bacterial cell integrity. When lysozymes hydrolyze the bonds in the peptidoglycan, it weakens the cell wall, making the bacteria more susceptible to osmotic lysis. Osmotic lysis occurs when there is a difference in solute concentration across the bacterial cell membrane, causing water to flow into the cell and leading to swelling and eventual rupture of the cell.

This property of lysozymes is particularly important in the context of the immune response, where they contribute to the defense against bacterial infections by destroying bacteria. They are found in various bodily fluids, such as tears and saliva, and are part of the innate immune system. The effectiveness of lysozymes in compromising bacterial cell walls directly supports their role in promoting osmotic lysis.

The other options represent different components or mechanisms of the immune response but do not directly contribute to the susceptibility of bacteria to osmotic lysis in the same manner as lysozymes do. Interferons are primarily involved in viral infections and modulating the immune response, phag