Which organelle contains digestive enzymes and plays a role in apoptosis?

• A. Lysosome
• B. Nucleolus
• C. Ribosome
• D. Vesicle

Answer: (A)

Digestive enzymes and a role in programmed cell death point to lysosomes. They are membrane-bound sacs that house acid hydrolases—enzymes that break down proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates. When lysosomes release these enzymes into the cytosol, they can trigger apoptosis by activating caspases or by damaging mitochondria, amplifying the cell-killing program. The nucleolus is where ribosomal RNA is made and ribosomes are assembled, not a digestive organelle. Ribosomes synthesize proteins, not digest them. Vesicles function mainly in transport between cellular compartments and do not inherently carry digestive enzymes. So, the lysosome best fits both parts of the question.