Question

The hydrolytic enzymes in lysosomes work most effectively in

• A. Acidic pH
• B. Basic pH
• C. Neutral pH
• D. Only in salty conditions

Hint:

Associate "Lysosomes" with "Acid Hydrolases."
The word "acid" tells you they require a low pH to work properly.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Lysosomes degrade macromolecules and cellular debris using a variety of hydrolytic enzymes.
These enzymes require a specific, regulated pH environment to maintain their active conformation and catalytic activity.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Lysosomes contain around fifty different hydrolytic enzymes, such as proteases, nucleases, and glycosidases.
These enzymes are acid hydrolases because they function optimally in an acidic environment (pH $\approx 5\text{--}0$).
The cell maintains this low internal pH by using vacuolar $H^{+}$-ATPases in the lysosomal membrane to pump protons from the cytoplasm into the lysosome.
This acidic requirement protects the rest of the cell: if a lysosome ruptures, its enzymes are inactivated by the neutral pH of the cytosol (pH $\approx 2$), preventing accidental self-digestion.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes work most effectively in an acidic pH environment.