Lysozymes play an important role in which type of immunity?

Lysozymes are important components of the innate immune system, which serves as the body's first line of defense against pathogens. This type of immunity provides a non-specific response to infectious agents and is always present and ready to act.

Lysozymes have the ability to break down bacterial cell walls by hydrolyzing the peptidoglycan layer, which is essential for bacterial integrity and survival. This enzymatic action helps to eliminate bacteria before they can establish an infection. The innate immune response is characterized by barriers such as skin and mucous membranes, along with various immune cells and secretory molecules like lysozymes, all working together to rapidly respond to potential threats.

In contrast, adaptive immunity involves a specific response to particular pathogens and memory formation, which is not the primary function of lysozymes. Humoral immunity refers specifically to the aspect of the adaptive response mediated by antibodies, and cellular immunity involves T cells and the recognition of infected cells. While these other types of immunity play crucial roles, lysozymes are distinctly tied to the innate immune response.