If the pH in lysosomes is increased to alkaline, what will be the outcome?
NEET 2022 Phase 2
Q1 of 4NEET 2022
If the pH in lysosomes is increased to alkaline, what will be the outcome?
NEET 2022 Phase 2
Q2 of 4NEET 2019
Which of the following statements about lysosomes is not correct?
NEET 2019
Q3 of 4NEET 2016
Which one of the following cell organelles is enclosed by a single membrane? (NEET 2016 Phase 1)
Q4 of 4NEET 2016
A cell organelle containing hydrolytic enzymes is: (NEET 2016 Phase 2)
Answer & NCERT explanation
Correct answer: C — Hydrolytic enzymes will become inactive
Lysosomal hydrolytic enzymes work optimally at acidic pH (around 5). If pH becomes alkaline, these enzymes become inactive and cannot function properly. The acidic environment is maintained by proton pumps in lysosomal membrane for proper enzyme activity.
Read more NCERT concept on the PYQ
📖 NCERT Source
These are membrane bound vesicular structures formed by the process of packaging in the golgi apparatus. The isolated lysosomal vesicles have been found to be very rich in almost all types of hydrolytic enzymes (hydrolases – lipases, proteases, carbohydrases) optimally active at the acidic pH. These enzymes are capable of digesting carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids.
LYSOSOMES are SINGLE MEMBRANE-BOUND vesicular structures formed by PACKAGING in the GOLGI APPARATUS (NOT the ER). They are very RICH in nearly all types of HYDROLYTIC ENZYMES (hydrolases — LIPASES, PROTEASES, CARBOHYDRASES), OPTIMALLY ACTIVE at ACIDIC pH (around pH 5). These enzymes can digest CARBOHYDRATES, PROTEINS, LIPIDS, and NUCLEIC ACIDS. If lysosomal pH is raised to ALKALINE, the hydrolytic enzymes become INACTIVE — they cannot function. The acidic pH is maintained by proton pumps in the lysosomal membrane. Lysosomes are sometimes called the 'suicide bags' of the cell because their enzyme release can autodigest the cell (autolysis). Lysosomes have a SINGLE membrane — unlike nuclei (double envelope), mitochondria and chloroplasts (both have double membranes).
🔬 Deeper than NCERT
Lysosomes appear in NEET 4 times (2022, 2019, 2016×2). Lock these: (1) FORMED in GOLGI (NOT ER) — NEET 2019 trap. (2) ACIDIC pH optimum (~5) — alkalinisation INACTIVATES enzymes — NEET 2022. (3) SINGLE membrane (NEET 2016 — unique among the major organelles offered). (4) CONTAIN HYDROLYTIC ENZYMES — NEET 2016 distinguishes from microsomes (ER fragments), ribosomes (protein synthesis), mesosomes (bacterial). Memory chain: Golgi packages → lysosome (single membrane, acidic pH, hydrolases).
⚠️ The NTA Trap
✗ Common wrong answer
Lysosomes are formed by the process of packaging in the endoplasmic reticulum and work optimally at alkaline pH.
✓ The correct framing
Lysosomes are formed by packaging in the GOLGI APPARATUS (not ER), and their hydrolytic enzymes work optimally at ACIDIC pH (~5).
Lysosomes are formed by packaging in the GOLGI APPARATUS (NOT the ER) — NEET 2019.
Hydrolytic enzymes (lipases, proteases, carbohydrases) — optimally active at ACIDIC pH (~5).
If pH becomes alkaline, hydrolytic enzymes become INACTIVE (NEET 2022).
Lysosomes have a SINGLE membrane — unlike nuclei, mitochondria, chloroplasts (all double-membraned).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lysosomes?
LYSOSOMES are SINGLE MEMBRANE-BOUND vesicular structures formed by PACKAGING in the GOLGI APPARATUS (NOT the ER). They are very RICH in nearly all types of HYDROLYTIC ENZYMES (hydrolases — LIPASES, PROTEASES, CARBOHYDRASES), OPTIMALLY ACTIVE at ACIDIC pH (around pH 5). These enzymes can digest CARBOHYDRATES, PROTEINS, LIPIDS, and NUCLEIC ACIDS. If lysosomal pH is raised to ALKALINE, the hydrolytic enzymes become INACTIVE — they cannot function.
What did NEET 2022 ask on Lysosomes?
In NEET 2022, the question was: "If the pH in lysosomes is increased to alkaline, what will be the outcome?" The correct answer is C — Hydrolytic enzymes will become inactive.
What is the most common NEET trap on Lysosomes?
Common wrong answer: Lysosomes are formed by the process of packaging in the endoplasmic reticulum and work optimally at alkaline pH. Correct: Lysosomes are formed by packaging in the GOLGI APPARATUS (not ER), and their hydrolytic enzymes work optimally at ACIDIC pH (~5).
How do you remember Lysosomes for NEET?
Lysosome = single membrane + Golgi-packaged + acidic pH + hydrolytic enzymes. Alkaline pH → enzymes INACTIVE. Key fact: Lysosomes are formed by packaging in the GOLGI APPARATUS (NOT the ER) — NEET 2019.
What are the key components of Lysosomes?
(1) Lysosomes are formed by packaging in the GOLGI APPARATUS (NOT the ER) — NEET 2019. (2) Hydrolytic enzymes (lipases, proteases, carbohydrases) — optimally active at ACIDIC pH (~5). (3) If pH becomes alkaline, hydrolytic enzymes become INACTIVE (NEET 2022).
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