Which cellular organelle can be considered digestive?

Answer 1

Lysosomes are often referred to as the "garbage disposal" or "recycling center" of the cell because of their role in breaking down waste and recycling cellular components. In plant cells, a similar role is partly played by the vacuole, which can store enzymes and contribute to digestion.

Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes (such as proteases, lipases, nucleases, and glycosidases) that break down biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. These enzymes function optimally at an acidic pH (~4.5–5.0), which is maintained within the lysosome.

In addition to digestion, lysosomes are essential for autophagy, a process in which they recycle damaged or non-functional cellular components like organelles. After digestion, waste products are released outside the cell through exocytosis. Lysosomes are also important for immune functions, as they help break down engulfed pathogens like bacteria or viruses in immune cells such as macrophages.

Answer 2

Lysosomes are cellular organelles that can be considered "digestive" because they have hydrolytic enzymes that digest unneeded organelles, food particles, and viruses or bacteria engulfed into the cell. Lysosomes are like the cleanup crew in cells.