Final answer:
A lysosome is a membrane-bound organelle in animal cells that functions as the cell's 'digestive component,' responsible for the breakdown of a variety of biomolecules and worn-out organelles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The organelle that stores enzymes for intracellular digestion is the lysosome. This organelle is often referred to as the 'digestive component' of an animal cell because it is responsible for breaking down various molecules such as proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, and dysfunctional organelles. Lysosomes originate from the Golgi apparatus and are membrane-bound, ensuring that their potent digestive enzymes are compartmentalized and do not damage the cell. These enzymes operate in an acidic environment which is advantageous since many of the reactions that occur in the cytoplasm cannot take place at low pH.
Lysosomes carry out a variety of functions, including the degradation of old and damaged organelles, a process known as autophagy. Moreover, they are also essential for immune responses, where they break down foreign material like bacteria. This occurs when defense cells, such as white blood cells, engulf bacteria through phagocytosis and the resulting vesicles fuse with lysosomes for digestion.