In maggot therapy, maggots secrete antimicrobial enzymes. What is the primary role of these enzymes?

In maggot therapy, maggots secrete antimicrobial enzymes. What is the primary role of these enzymes?

• A. Hormones
• B. Antimicrobial peptides
• C. Antimicrobial enzymes
• D. Bacteriocins

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that these secretions act directly on microbes to reduce infection in the wound. Antimicrobial enzymes work by attacking bacteria enzymatically—for example, by breaking down components of the bacterial cell wall or otherwise disabling essential bacterial processes. In maggot therapy, these enzymes are released into the wound to lower the microbial load, helping to prevent infection and create a more favorable environment for healing. Hormones regulate host physiology, so they aren’t the antimicrobial mechanism here. Antimicrobial peptides are different molecules that disrupt microbes but aren’t the enzymatic agents being described. Bacteriocins come from bacteria and are not produced by maggots. So the primary role of these secreted substances is to attack and neutralize bacteria through enzymatic activity, supporting wound cleansing and healing.

The key idea is that these secretions act directly on microbes to reduce infection in the wound. Antimicrobial enzymes work by attacking bacteria enzymatically—for example, by breaking down components of the bacterial cell wall or otherwise disabling essential bacterial processes. In maggot therapy, these enzymes are released into the wound to lower the microbial load, helping to prevent infection and create a more favorable environment for healing. Hormones regulate host physiology, so they aren’t the antimicrobial mechanism here. Antimicrobial peptides are different molecules that disrupt microbes but aren’t the enzymatic agents being described. Bacteriocins come from bacteria and are not produced by maggots. So the primary role of these secreted substances is to attack and neutralize bacteria through enzymatic activity, supporting wound cleansing and healing.