Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

5. Cell Components

Endomembrane System: Digestive Organelles

General Biology

5. Cell Components

Endomembrane System: Digestive Organelles

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1:57 minutes

Problem 8

Textbook Question

In which cell would you find the most lysosomes?
a. Pancreatic cell that secretes digestive enzymes
b. Ovarian cell that produces estrogen (a steroid hormone)
c. Muscle cell in the thigh of a long-distance runner
d. White blood cell that engulfs bacteria

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the function of lysosomes: Lysosomes are organelles that contain digestive enzymes and are involved in breaking down waste materials, cellular debris, and pathogens such as bacteria.

Analyze the role of each cell type: Consider the primary function of each cell type listed in the options and determine which one would require the most lysosomal activity.

Option a: Pancreatic cells secrete digestive enzymes, which are produced in the endoplasmic reticulum and packaged by the Golgi apparatus. These cells do not primarily rely on lysosomes for their function.

Option b: Ovarian cells produce steroid hormones like estrogen. This process involves the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, not lysosomes, as the primary organelle.

Option d: White blood cells (e.g., macrophages) engulf bacteria through phagocytosis. The engulfed bacteria are broken down by lysosomes, making these cells highly dependent on lysosomal activity for their immune function.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Lysosomes

Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles that contain digestive enzymes responsible for breaking down waste materials and cellular debris. They play a crucial role in cellular metabolism and the recycling of cellular components. Cells with high levels of metabolic activity or those that frequently engage in phagocytosis, such as immune cells, typically have more lysosomes.

Pancreatic Cells

Pancreatic cells, particularly acinar cells, are specialized for producing and secreting digestive enzymes into the small intestine. These cells are involved in the breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, necessitating a high number of lysosomes to process and recycle the enzymes and cellular materials involved in digestion.

White Blood Cells

White blood cells, or leukocytes, are essential components of the immune system, tasked with identifying and eliminating pathogens. Certain types, like macrophages, are particularly rich in lysosomes, as they engulf and digest bacteria and other foreign materials, requiring a significant number of lysosomes to manage the breakdown of these substances.

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Related Practice

Multiple Choice

Which are recycling centers for the cell?

Which type of plant organelle often occupies the majority of the cell's volume?

Which of the following sequences represents the order in which a protein made in the rough endoplasmic reticulum might move through the endomembrane system?

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Textbook Question

Which cell would be best for studying lysosomes?

a. Muscle cell

b. Nerve cell

c. Bacterial cell

d. Phagocytic white blood cell

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Textbook Question

When analyzing a sample of cells from a patient, you find the lysosomes are filled with undigested material. This observation makes you think that the lysosomes are not functioning properly. What are three different defects that could be responsible for malfunctioning lysosomes?

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Multiple Choice

Which organelle contains digestive enzymes that break down waste material and debris in the cell?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following organelles are primarily responsible for cellular digestion?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following organelles contains enzymes involved in cellular digestion?