Which one of the following organelles of mammalian cells is rich in hydrolytic enzymes?

Lysosomes are specialized membrane-bound organelles in mammalian cells that function as the primary site for intracellular digestion and waste disposal. They contain approximately 50 different types of hydrolytic enzymes, also known as acid hydrolases, which are capable of breaking down various biomolecules including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and polysaccharides [1]. These enzymes are specifically active at an acidic pH of about 5, which is maintained within the lysosome by an ATP-dependent proton pump. This acidic environment ensures that if the lysosomal membrane were to rupture, the enzymes would remain inactive in the neutral pH of the cytosol, preventing accidental cellular self-digestion. While mitochondria are involved in energy production and the nucleus houses genetic material, lysosomes are uniquely characterized by their high concentration of degradative hydrolytic enzymes.

Sources

1. [1] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/lysosome-enzyme