Question

Lysosomes are called suicidal bags because:
A) They possess enzymes, which can digest cell debris
B) They suicide
C) They do nothing in a plant cell
D) None of these

Answer 1

Lysosomes are cell organelles found within eukaryotic animal cells. They have basic functions such as breaking down of cellular wastes and debris.

Complete answer:
Let's have a look at the details of lysosomes.
Lysosomes are a special type of vesicle inside the cell, which can digest large molecules with the help of hydrolytic enzymes. Lysosomes are mainly found in animal cells and a human cell contains 300 of them. Not only do they digest large molecules, they break down and get rid of waste products inside the cells. Lysosomes contain around 50 different enzymes that allow them to carry out these processes.

pH of lysosomes are maintained at acidic levels, because their hydrolytic enzymes function best at these levels. Hydrolytic enzymes break down molecules with the help of hydrolysis. During hydrolysis, a molecule of water is added to the substance, which causes it to cleave. Lysosomes can be considered as the digestive system of a cell, since it breaks down molecules using enzymes.

Let's look at the options for finding out correct answer:

Option A: Lysosomes are called suicidal enzymes, because they can digest cell debris with their enzymes. When a cell becomes damaged, lysosomes digest its own cell or cellular components by releasing enzymes. Therefore, this is the correct option.
Option B: Lysosomes are called suicidal bags not because they suicide. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.
Option C: Although lysosomes are rarely seen in plants, they perform these functions as in animal cells. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.
Option D: Since the answer is in the options, this is the incorrect answer.

Thus, the correct answer is option (A) They possess enzymes, which can digest cell debris.

Note: Lysosomes are predominantly found in animal cells. The role of lysosome is undertaken by vacuoles in plants. They also possess hydrolytic enzymes, seen in animal cells. Lysosomes are specialized vesicles within cells that digest large molecules through the use of hydrolytic enzymes.