Final answer:
Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that break down non-functional organelles, macromolecules, and pathogens. They maintain cellular health and provide defense against pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that are responsible for digesting non-functioning organelles, macromolecules, and pathogens. These enzymes, called acid hydrolases, catalyze hydrolysis reactions and have an optimal pH of around 4.5. Lysosomes have proton pumps in their membranes that lower the pH by pumping hydrogen ions into the lumen, creating an acidic environment where the enzymes become active.
Lysosomes are involved in processes like phagocytosis, where macrophages engulf pathogens and fuse with lysosomes to destroy them. They also continuously break down old proteins, foreign materials, and waste within the cell.
In summary, lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that break down various substances in the cell, maintaining cellular health and providing defense against pathogens.