What enzymes are responsible for degradation in lysosomes?

The correct answer is that lysosomes primarily contain acid hydrolases, which are a group of enzymes specifically optimized to function in the acidic environment of the lysosome. These enzymes are responsible for breaking down various biomolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates. The acidic pH inside lysosomes, typically around 4.5 to 5.0, is crucial for the activity of acid hydrolases, ensuring efficient degradation processes.

Lysosomes are often referred to as the cell's waste disposal system, as they digest and recycle cellular waste, damaged organelles, and macromolecules that are no longer needed. The diverse repertoire of acid hydrolases allows lysosomes to catalyze the hydrolysis of these compounds, leading to their degradation into simpler molecules that can be reused or excreted by the cell.

Given this context, even though proteases, nucleases, and lipases are also important for the breakdown of specific types of biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, respectively), the term "acid hydrolases" encompasses all of these activities and highlights the enzymatic function unique to the lysosomal environment. Therefore, acid hydrolases effectively describe the collective action of