Which organelle is involved in intracellular digestion with acid hydrolases?

• A. Golgi apparatus
• B. Lysosomes
• C. Peroxisomes
• D. Mitochondria

Answer: (B)

Lysosomes are the organelles responsible for intracellular digestion with acid hydrolases. They are membrane-bound compartments that house a suite of enzymes (proteases, nucleases, lipases, glycosidases) that work best in the acidic interior of the lysosome. This acidic environment is maintained by proton pumps in the lysosome membrane, enabling efficient breakdown of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids that are brought into the cell by endocytosis or generated by autophagy. Because of these features, lysosomes recycling cellular components and degrade material to keep the cell clean and functional.

The Golgi apparatus mainly modifies and packages proteins and lipids for transport. Peroxisomes handle fatty acid oxidation and detoxification rather than broad intracellular digestion with acid hydrolases. Mitochondria generate ATP and regulate metabolism, not hydrolytic digestion within the cell.