Phagocytes are white blood cells that engulf and digest pathogens as a part of the immune response of the body.
Compared to other types of cells, phagocytes are likely to have a higher concentration of which of the following?
A lysosomes
B mitochondria
C chloroplasts
D ribosomes
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A. lysosomes.
Explanation:
Phagocytes, such as neutrophils and macrophages, play a crucial role in the body’s immune response by engulfing and digesting harmful pathogens (like bacteria, viruses, and dead cells). To carry out this function, phagocytes rely heavily on lysosomes, which are specialized organelles within the cell.
Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles containing digestive enzymes. These enzymes break down various biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. When a phagocyte engulfs a pathogen, it forms a vesicle called a phagosome around the pathogen. The phagosome then fuses with a lysosome to form a phagolysosome, where the digestive enzymes break down the ingested pathogen. The higher the number of lysosomes in a cell, the more efficiently it can carry out this crucial function of pathogen destruction. Therefore, phagocytes need a high concentration of lysosomes to perform their immune function effectively.
Now, let’s explore why the other options are less likely to be the answer:
- B. Mitochondria: While mitochondria are important for energy production through cellular respiration, they are not directly involved in the digestion of pathogens. Although phagocytes do require energy to perform their functions, the primary organelle responsible for digestion is the lysosome, not the mitochondrion.
- C. Chloroplasts: Chloroplasts are present in plant cells and are involved in photosynthesis. Since phagocytes are animal cells, they do not contain chloroplasts, making this option irrelevant to the question.
- D. Ribosomes: Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis, which is essential for all cells. While phagocytes need ribosomes to produce proteins, the focus of the question is on the organelle that is specifically involved in digesting pathogens, which is the lysosome.
In summary, phagocytes are likely to have a higher concentration of lysosomes to efficiently digest pathogens during the immune response.