Final answer:
The lysosome is the organelle that contains hydrolytic enzymes which degrade macromolecules. Its enzymes operate in an acidic environment, provided by proton pumps, and are essential for digesting various substances within the cell and for immune functions such as destroying pathogens in macrophages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organelle responsible for containing hydrolytic enzymes that degrade macromolecules is the lysosome. Lysosomes are membrane-bound structures and are a critical part of the cell's endomembrane system. Their chief function is to break down various particles such as food, damaged organelles, cellular debris, and microorganisms through the action of digestive enzymes known as acid hydrolases.
The hydrolytic enzymes within lysosomes operate efficiently at an acidic pH, which is maintained by proton pumps that actively transport hydrogen ions into the interior of the lysosome. This system ensures that the enzymes are inactive while they are being transported in the cytoplasm and become active only within the acidic environment of the lysosome. An example of the lysosome's function is seen in macrophages, which utilize lysosomes to destroy pathogens via phagocytosis. By breaking down non-functioning organelles and other cellular waste, lysosomes are sometimes referred to as the cell's 'recycling center' or 'waste disposal'.