Question

Is the single membrane bound organelle. (a) Sphaerosome (b) Lysosome (c) Glyoxysome (d) All of these

Short answer

The correct answer is (d) All of these, as sphaerosomes, lysosomes, and glyoxysomes are all single membrane-bound organelles.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Exercise

The task is to identify which of the given options is a single membrane-bound organelle. Understanding the biological terms: Sphaerosomes are involved in lipid storage and are single membrane-bound. Lysosomes contain digestive enzymes and are also single membrane-bound. Glyoxysomes are involved in the conversion of fats into carbohydrates and are single membrane-bound as well.

Characteristics of Membrane-Bound Organelles

Single membrane-bound organelles are characterized by a solitary phospholipid bilayer that surrounds them. This membrane allows the organelle to maintain a separate internal environment, which is crucial for its specific functions.

Identifying the Correct Option

Knowing that sphaerosomes, lysosomes, and glyoxysomes all possess a single membrane and match the description provided in the exercise, the correct answer is (d) All of these. Each organelle listed functions with a single membrane enclosure.

Key concepts

Understanding Sphaerosomes

When exploring the world of single membrane-bound organelles, sphaerosomes play a significant role, particularly in plant cells. Sphaerosomes are spherical vesicles that hold crucial responsibilities pertaining to the storage of lipids, such as fats and oils.

Functionally, sphaerosomes are important because they act as storage sites. When a plant requires energy or building materials for its cellular structures, these stored lipids are mobilized. The structure of a sphaerosome is defined by a solitary phospholipid bilayer, similar to the outer layer of the cell membrane, encapsulating the lipid material within.

Assessing Sphaerosomes in Cells

These organelles can be particularly abundant in seeds or tissues that are active in lipid metabolism. Sphaerosomes not only store lipids but also play a part in their synthesis and breakdown. Enhanced understanding of sphaerosomes is pivotal for students, especially when distinguishing such organelles from similar structures in a cell.

Lysosomes: The Digestive Compartments

Lysosomes are often referred to as the cell's waste disposal system. They are dynamic organelles encased in a single membrane and contain enzymes that break down unwanted or malfunctioning cellular components, including proteins, nucleic acids, and complex carbohydrates.

Exclusive to animal cells, lysosomes maintain an acidic pH that is optimal for the activity of their hydrolytic enzymes. These enzymes are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum and further processed in the Golgi apparatus before they are sorted into lysosomes.

Role of Lysosomes in Cell Health

Lysosomes are also crucial for a process called autophagy, where the cell digests its own damaged organelles to recycle the constituents. This process is vital for the maintenance of cellular health and also for adaptive responses to stress and starvation. By understanding lysosomes, students can appreciate the processes of intracellular digestion and recycling; this insight is key for courses in cell biology and biochemistry.

Glyoxysomes and Their Unique Function

Glyoxysomes are specialized peroxisomes found mostly in plant cells, particularly in germinating seeds. These single membrane-bound organelles carry out a critical process known as the glyoxylate cycle, which is an adaptation of the citric acid cycle.

The primary role of glyoxysomes is to convert stored lipids into carbohydrates. During seed germination, when a young plant requires a continuous supply of energy before it can perform photosynthesis, glyoxysomes transform the fatty acids into sugars, which are more readily usable by the cell.

Studying Glyoxysomes in Metabolism

Understanding glyoxysomes is essential for students studying plant biology and metabolism. It represents a fascinating way plants manage their energy and resources during early growth. Without glyoxysomes, seedlings wouldn't have the necessary energy to grow, exemplifying the importance of biochemical adaptability in plants.