Final answer:
Lysosomal membranes are protected from their enclosed hydrolytic enzymes by a specialized membrane structure that includes unique glycoproteins and a thick glycocalyx lining, along with the pH-dependent activation of the enzymes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the protective mechanisms of lysosomal membranes against the potentially self-destructive hydrolytic enzymes that they enclose. Lysosomes are organelles within eukaryotic cells that contain acid hydrolases, enzymes that digest macromolecules, damaged cell components, and pathogens. These enzymes are highly active in the acidic environment inside lysosomes, which have a lower pH than the rest of the cell.
To shield the lysosomal membrane from these enzymes, lysosomes have a highly specialized membrane that contains unique glycoproteins in the lysosomal membrane and a thick glycocalyx lining on the internal membrane surface.
This provides a barrier that is highly resistant to digestion by these enzymes. Additionally, the enzymes themselves are synthesized in an inactive form and are only activated within the acidic environment of the lysosome to ensure that they do not digest cellular components during transport.