Lysosomes can digest material because their internal pH is:
AMore acidic than the cytoplasm
BMore alkaline than the cytoplasm
CExactly equal to the cytoplasm
DNeutral regardless of cytoplasm
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. More acidic than the cytoplasm
1. A lysosome carries hydrolytic enzymes that work only in particular conditions.
2. Those enzymes need an acidic environment to function.
3. The pH within lysosomes is more acidic than the pH of the cytoplasm.
4. Keeping the two separated also protects the cell if a few enzymes leak out.
_Source: OpenStax Biology for AP(R) Courses (CC BY 4.0), Ch 4 'Cell Structure', sections 4.1-4.6_
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