Which organelle is responsible for digestion of large molecules?

• A. Ribosomes
• B. Golgi apparatus
• C. Lysosomes
• D. Peroxisomes

Answer: (C)

Lysosomes are responsible for breaking down large molecules inside cells. They are membrane-bound sacs filled with hydrolytic enzymes that work best in an acidic environment, allowing them to digest proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids brought into the cell or recycled from damaged organelles. This degradation process, called autophagy for internal components or endocytosis for external materials, provides basic building blocks for the cell to reuse. Other organelles have different roles: ribosomes synthesize proteins; the Golgi apparatus modifies and ships proteins and lipids; peroxisomes break down fatty acids and detoxify certain chemicals, but they aren’t the main site for digesting large molecules.