What is the function of lysozyme?

Lysozyme plays a critical role in the immune system by targeting bacterial cells specifically. Its primary function is to break down the peptidoglycan component of bacterial cell walls, which results in the lysis or destruction of these cells. This enzyme is particularly effective against many Gram-positive bacteria, as their cell walls are rich in peptidoglycan. By hydrolyzing the glycosidic bonds in the peptidoglycan, lysozyme weakens the structural integrity of the bacterial cell wall, leading to cell death. This mechanism is a key part of the body's innate defense against bacterial infections.

The other options do not align with the established functions of lysozyme. Unwinding DNA is a function associated with enzymes like helicase; connecting Okazaki fragments is the role of DNA ligase during DNA replication; and antibody production is a function of B cells in the adaptive immune response, none of which involve lysozyme directly.