This organelle is usually small and round in shape. It breaks down larger food molecules into smaller ones, digests waste, recycles old parts and breaks down a cell quickly after it dies.
What is the cell organelle called?
Question 3 options:
vacuole
mitochondria
lysosome
cytoplasm
The correct answer is lysosome.
The cell organelle described is called a lysosome.
The correct answer is lysosome.
To arrive at this answer, we can look at the description provided for the organelle. It mentions that the organelle is usually small and round in shape, breaks down larger food molecules into smaller ones, digests waste, recycles old parts, and breaks down a cell quickly after it dies.
To identify the organelle, we can eliminate the options one by one based on their characteristics.
1. Vacuole: Vacuoles are membrane-bound organelles found in plant and fungal cells, and they primarily function in storage and maintaining turgor pressure. They are not directly involved in the processes of breaking down food, digesting waste, or breaking down a cell after it dies. Therefore, vacuole can be eliminated.
2. Mitochondria: Mitochondria are often referred to as the "powerhouses" of the cell, as they are responsible for generating energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration. While mitochondria play a crucial role in breaking down larger food molecules and generating energy, they are not specifically involved in digesting waste, recycling old parts, or breaking down a cell after it dies. Hence, mitochondria can be eliminated.
3. Lysosome: Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles that contain digestive enzymes. They are involved in the breakdown of larger food molecules into smaller ones, the digestion of waste materials, and the recycling of old organelles and macromolecules. Additionally, lysosomes are responsible for autophagy, which is the process of breaking down a cell after it dies. Given the description provided, lysosome matches all the mentioned characteristics and is therefore the correct answer.
4. Cytoplasm: Cytoplasm is the gel-like fluid that fills the entire cell, surrounding the organelles. It does not possess the specific functions mentioned in the description, such as breaking down food, digesting waste, recycling old parts, or breaking down a cell after it dies. Thus, cytoplasm can be eliminated.
Therefore, based on the given options and the description, the organelle being referred to is the lysosome.