Hydrolytic enzymes must be segregated and packaged to prevent the general destruction of cellular components. In animal cells, which of the following organelles contains these hydrolytic enzymes?
a) peroxisome
b) glyoxysome
c) chloroplast
d) lysosome e) central vacuole
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is d) lysosome.
Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles found in animal cells that contain a variety of hydrolytic enzymes. These enzymes are responsible for breaking down various biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. They help in processes like cellular digestion, recycling of cellular components, and the elimination of waste. The enzymes within lysosomes are typically acidic hydrolases, which function best in the acidic environment inside the lysosome, usually maintained at a pH of around 4.5 to 5.0.
Lysosomes are formed in the Golgi apparatus and contain enzymes that are initially synthesized in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER). These enzymes are then packaged into vesicles that fuse with the lysosome. Once inside the lysosome, the enzymes are activated and are capable of breaking down large molecules into their constituent parts, which can then be reused by the cell.
The lysosome’s role is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Without lysosomes, cells would not be able to properly digest or recycle materials, leading to a buildup of waste products that could damage the cell. Disorders related to lysosomes, such as lysosomal storage diseases, occur when these enzymes are either absent or not functioning correctly, resulting in the accumulation of undigested materials.
In contrast, peroxisomes (option a) are involved in the breakdown of fatty acids and detoxification processes, glyoxysomes (option b) are specialized peroxisomes found in plants and involved in converting stored lipids into carbohydrates, chloroplasts (option c) are involved in photosynthesis in plant cells, and the central vacuole (option e) stores water, nutrients, and waste products but does not contain hydrolytic enzymes. Therefore, the lysosome is the correct organelle responsible for containing hydrolytic enzymes in animal cells.