Final answer:
Lysozyme kills bacterial cells by cleaving the peptidoglycan layer in the cell wall, leading to cell lysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The enzyme lysozyme is known to kill bacterial cells by cleaving the peptidoglycan layer in their cell wall. This is a crucial component of the bacterial cell's structure that provides rigidity and protection. When lysozyme cleaves the peptidoglycan, it weakens the cell wall and makes the bacterial cells susceptible to osmotic pressure, which can ultimately lead to lysis or bursting of the bacterial cell due to water intake. The usage of lysozyme is part of the body's natural defenses, particularly in immune system responses where macrophages engulf pathogens and break them down using lysozyme and other hydrolytic enzymes contained within lysosomes.