Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam Practice 2025 – Comprehensive Prep

The association of lysosomes with digestive enzymes for intracellular use is accurate. Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles that contain a variety of hydrolytic enzymes capable of breaking down different biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. These enzymes play a crucial role in intracellular digestion, allowing the cell to recycle components, remove waste, and process materials taken in from the environment. This digestive function is essential for maintaining cellular health and homeostasis.

In contrast, ribosomes primarily function as the site of protein synthesis, translating messenger RNA (mRNA) into polypeptide chains, not as a storage facility. Mitochondria are responsible for energy production through cellular respiration, not photosynthesis—that process occurs in chloroplasts in plant cells. Lastly, the nucleus is primarily involved in storing and managing genetic information and is not the site for lipid synthesis; that process mainly occurs in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Understanding these roles helps clarify the specific functions and relationships of cellular components.