AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -As most high schoolers learn, the lysosome carries out waste disposal and recycling. In a process known as autophagy (meaning “self-eating”), it takes in old cellular components and unneeded large molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids and sugars, and digests them with the help of enzymes and acids.

Detailed explanation-2: -Lysosomes are involved with various cell processes. They break down excess or worn-out cell parts. They may be used to destroy invading viruses and bacteria. If the cell is damaged beyond repair, lysosomes can help it to self-destruct in a process called programmed cell death, or apoptosis.

Detailed explanation-3: -Lysosomes contain a variety of enzymes, enabling the cell to break down various biomolecules it engulfs, including peptides, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids (lysosomal lipase). The enzymes responsible for this hydrolysis require an acidic environment for optimal activity.

Detailed explanation-4: -Lysosomes have powerful enzymes and acids to digest and recycle cell materials. Credit: Judith Stoffer. Proteins aren’t the only type of cellular waste. Cells also have to recycle compartments called organelles when they become old and worn out.

Detailed explanation-5: -Lysosomes are the garbage disposal units of our cells, roaming around digesting cellular waste with their specialized enzymes and recycling excess or worn-out cell parts. Additionally, they may also be used to destroy invading viruses and bacteria.