Final answer:
Lysosomes are organelles found in animal cells that function as the cell's digestive component and organelle-recycling facility. They contain hydrolytic enzymes which break down various molecules including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and worn-out organelles. Lysosomes also play a role in the immune system by destroying disease-causing organisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lysosomes are organelles found in animal cells that function as the cell's digestive component and organelle-recycling facility. They contain hydrolytic enzymes that break down proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, and even worn-out organelles. Lysosomes also play a role in the immune system by destroying disease-causing organisms that enter the cell. For example, in the process of phagocytosis, a section of the plasma membrane engulfs a pathogen and fuses with a lysosome, where the hydrolytic enzymes destroy the pathogen.