Which small organelles are filled with enzymes that break down lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins?

• A. Lysosomes
• B. Mitochondria
• C. Ribosomes
• D. Endoplasmic Reticulum

Answer: (A)

Lysosomes are membrane-bound sacs packed with digestive enzymes that break down lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins inside the cell. These enzymes, called acid hydrolases, work best in the acidic interior of the lysosome, which is maintained by the lysosomal membrane. This allows lysosomes to digest waste materials, recycle damaged organelles, and process material taken into the cell, turning large molecules into usable components. Other organelles have different roles—mitochondria generate energy with enzymes for respiration, ribosomes synthesize proteins, and the endoplasmic reticulum handles protein and lipid synthesis. The description of organelles filled with degradative enzymes for intracellular digestion points to lysosomes.