Which organelle contains enzymes that degrade hydrogen peroxide and fatty acids?

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Multiple Choice

Which organelle contains enzymes that degrade hydrogen peroxide and fatty acids?

Explanation:
Peroxisomes contain enzymes that degrade hydrogen peroxide and fatty acids. Catalase inside peroxisomes converts hydrogen peroxide, a reactive byproduct of metabolism, into water and oxygen, preventing cellular damage. Peroxisomes also perform beta-oxidation of very long-chain fatty acids, shortening them before they’re handed off to mitochondria. While mitochondria handle much of fatty acid oxidation and energy production, the specific detoxifying enzyme system for hydrogen peroxide plus this fatty acid oxidation role is characteristic of peroxisomes. Lysosomes digest macromolecules, and the Golgi apparatus packages and redistributes proteins, but neither carries this combination of functions. So, the organelle described is the peroxisome.

Peroxisomes contain enzymes that degrade hydrogen peroxide and fatty acids. Catalase inside peroxisomes converts hydrogen peroxide, a reactive byproduct of metabolism, into water and oxygen, preventing cellular damage. Peroxisomes also perform beta-oxidation of very long-chain fatty acids, shortening them before they’re handed off to mitochondria. While mitochondria handle much of fatty acid oxidation and energy production, the specific detoxifying enzyme system for hydrogen peroxide plus this fatty acid oxidation role is characteristic of peroxisomes. Lysosomes digest macromolecules, and the Golgi apparatus packages and redistributes proteins, but neither carries this combination of functions. So, the organelle described is the peroxisome.

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