Which of the following statements are true about the acidic pH of lysosomes?

(a) Presence of anabolic enzymes

(b) Deposition of waste materials

(c) Presence of hydrolytic enzymes

(d) All of the above

(c) Presence of hydrolytic enzymes

The internal environment of a lysosome is kept acidic primarily because it contains a host of powerful digestive enzymes called acid hydrolases. These hydrolytic enzymes are specifically designed to function optimally at a low pH (around 4.5-5.0).

This acidic environment is essential for the lysosome's main role: breaking down waste materials, cellular debris, and foreign invaders. If the pH were neutral or basic, these enzymes would not work effectively.

The other options are incorrect:

• Anabolic enzymes are involved in building molecules, not breaking them down, and are not the reason for the lysosome's acidity.
• The deposition of waste materials is what the lysosome acts upon, it is not the cause of its acidic nature.