A researcher genetically modifies a eukaryotic cell so that it can no longer synthesize hydrolytic enzymes within lysosomes. Over time, she observes the following effects:
Undigested food accumulates in vacuoles
Damaged mitochondria persist within the cytoplasm
The cell becomes increasingly inefficient in energy use and macromolecule recycling
Which of the following best explains why this mutation would critically impair both survival and homeostasis of the cell?

Question

A researcher genetically modifies a eukaryotic cell so that it can no longer synthesize hydrolytic enzymes within lysosomes. Over time, she observes the following effects:

Undigested food accumulates in vacuoles
Damaged mitochondria persist within the cytoplasm
The cell becomes increasingly inefficient in energy use and macromolecule recycling

Which of the following best explains why this mutation would critically impair both survival and homeostasis of the cell?

Accepted Answer

Lack of hydrolytic enzymes halts both phagocytosis and autophagy, causing accumulation of foreign matter and damaged organelles, disrupting metabolism and recycling.

Answer

Without hydrolytic enzymes, the cell cannot fuse food vacuoles with lysosomes and must expel all food externally.

Answer

The cell can still digest food particles via peroxisomes, so the impact is limited to energy storage.

Answer

The endoplasmic reticulum replaces lysosomal function by packaging digestive enzymes into vacuoles.

Answer

Mitochondria are no longer able to perform cellular respiration due to lack of lysosomal energy production.

Answer

The Golgi apparatus overcompensates by exporting hydrolytic enzymes outside the cell, leading to self-digestion of the plasma membrane.

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A researcher genetically modifies a eukaryotic cell so that it can no longer...

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