Question

Assertion (A): The use of chitinase enzyme is necessary for the separation of DNA from yeast cells but not in the case of Spirogyra.

Reason (R): Fungal cell wall is made up of fungal chitin.

Options

• Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

• Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

• Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.

• Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Answer 1

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

Explanation:

• Assertion is true: yeast (a fungus) has a cell wall that contains chitin (along with glucans and mannoproteins), so enzymatic digestion with chitinase (or lytic enzymes that include chitinase activity) is commonly used to break the wall and release DNA.
• Reason is true: Spirogyra is a green alga with a cellulose/pectin-type cell wall, so chitinase is not required; instead, mechanical or cellulase-based methods are used.
• Therefore, R correctly explains A (the enzymatic removal of the chitinous fungal wall allows DNA separation).