Question

Extracellular enzymes that play a role in decomposition are

• A. Cellulases and nitrogenase
• B. Cellulases and zymase
• C. Cellulases and proteases
• D. Cellulases and oxygenases

Answer 1

The correct option is C Cellulases and proteases

An extracellular enzyme is an enzyme that is synthesised by the cell secreted outside the cell, where their function is to break down complex macromolecules into smaller units which is be taken up by the cell for growth and assimilation. These enzymes play a vital role during the process of decomposition as they degrade complex molecules such as cellulose and hemicellulose into smaller units which serve as a source of energy, carbon and nutrients. Example are cellulases which break down carbohydrates, oxidases (lignin), phosphotases (phosphate), proteases (proteins) etc. Some of the enzymes like nitogenase, zymase, oxygenase are the intracellular enzymes Where nitrogenases reduces nitrogen to ammonia, zymases catalyses fermentation of sugar and oxygenase oxidises a substrate