Which organelle contains hydrolytic enzymes?

The correct answer is lysosome because this organelle is specifically known for containing hydrolytic enzymes that are responsible for breaking down various biomolecules. Lysosomes play a crucial role in cellular digestion and waste processing by using these enzymes to degrade macromolecules such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids into their simpler components. This function is essential for recycling cellular components and managing cellular waste.

In contrast, the nucleus is primarily involved in housing genetic material and regulating gene expression, rather than degradation processes. Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell, generating energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration but are not involved in the hydrolysis of molecules. Ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis, assembling amino acids into polypeptides according to the instructions coded in mRNA, but they do not have hydrolytic enzymes. Thus, lysosomes are uniquely equipped with the necessary enzymes to facilitate breaking down complex substances within the cell.