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What would happen if the lysosome membrane broke open?

A) Increased cellular respiration
B) Release of digestive enzymes
C) Cellular apoptosis
D) Enhanced protein synthesis

1 Answer

7 votes

Final answer:

If the lysosome membrane broke open, there would be a release of digestive enzymes into the cytoplasm, leading to cell damage and potential apoptosis.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the lysosome membrane broke open, the correct answer would be B) Release of digestive enzymes. Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles that contain hydrolytic enzymes such as lipases, proteases, and nucleases which can break down a variety of organic polymers. These enzymes are typically sequestered within the lysosomes to prevent damage to the rest of the cell. If a lysosome's membrane were to rupture, these enzymes would spill into the cytoplasm and begin digesting cellular components, which could lead to cell death, known as apoptosis or controlled self-destruction through a process called autolysis. This is often a defensive mechanism to prevent damaged or unhealthy cells from causing harm to the organism.

User Tim Stack
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