Final answer:
The primary function of a lysosome is the degradation of macromolecules and organelles. They contain digestive enzymes to break down cellular waste and maintain cellular health. In plant cells, similar functions are performed by vacuoles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The major function of a lysosome is the degradation of macromolecules and organelles. Lysosomes are known as the cell's 'garbage disposal' and are vital for breaking down various substances such as proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, and even worn-out organelles through a process involving digestive enzymes. These enzymes enable the cell to digest matter efficiently while preventing damage to the cytoplasmic components. In plant cells, this function is primarily carried out by vacuoles. Lysosomes were discovered in the 1960s and are a key part of the endomembrane system, playing a crucial role in maintaining cellular health by recycling cellular material.
In macrophages, which are cells that ingest and digest pathogens, lysosomes play a major role in their activity. The role of lysosomes in protein turnover involves the degradation of intracellular and extracellular proteins by proteases known as cathepsins and is distinct from the degradation of non-glycosylated proteins in the cytosol by ubiquitin.