Final answer:
Both the assertion that chitinase is used to lyse fungal cells and the reason that it dissolves the fungal cell wall are true. Furthermore, the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion, making option A the correct choice in this context.
Step-by-step explanation:
When attempting to extract DNA from fungal cells, chitinase is indeed an enzyme used to lyse or open up the cells. The reason that this enzyme is effective at lysing fungal cells is because it targets the fungal cell wall, which is composed mainly of chitin. Chitinase catalyzes the hydrolysis of chitin, thereby dissolving this component of the cell wall and making the intact protoplast accessible, which is vital for techniques such as transformation, where DNA can be introduced into the cell.
So, in response to the question, both the assertion and the reason are true. Furthermore, the reason provided is the correct explanation for the assertion. Chitinase is used because it dissolves the chitin in a fungal cell wall, allowing the cell to open up and release its DNA. This makes option A the correct choice.