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Question

A researcher is studying different types of cells. In which cell type will he/she encounter the highest number of lysosomes ?

The correct answer is
White blood cell

Lysosome Function and Cell Activity

Lysosomes are cellular organelles containing digestive enzymes. Their primary role is to break down waste materials, cellular debris, and foreign invaders like bacteria.

Cell Type Analysis for Lysosome Abundance

The number of lysosomes in a cell typically correlates with its level of digestive or phagocytic activity. Let's analyze the options:

  • Pancreatic cells: Primarily involved in secreting digestive enzymes and hormones. While they have metabolic activity, their main function isn't phagocytosis.
  • Ovarian cells: Involved in reproduction; their lysosome content is generally moderate.
  • Muscle cells: Focus on contraction and require energy. They undergo autophagy (recycling old components) but are not primary sites of external waste breakdown.
  • White blood cells (WBCs): These are immune cells critical for defending the body. They actively engulf pathogens (like bacteria) and cellular debris through phagocytosis. This process requires a large number of lysosomes to digest the engulfed material.

Therefore, the cell type with the highest rate of phagocytosis and waste breakdown will have the most lysosomes.

Conclusion on Lysosome Count

Based on their function in phagocytosis and waste removal, White blood cells contain the highest number of lysosomes among the given options.

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Important Questions from Cell Structure

  1. A group of ribosomes attached to mRNA is known as :

  2. Within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, which of the following structures contains the tightly coiled genetic material?

  3. Chromosomes are composed of DNA and:

  4. Bacteria have an undefined nuclear region which lacks a nuclear membrane and contains only DNA without proteins. Such a region is called:

  5. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

    I. Amoeba ingests its food with the help of pseudopodia.

    II. Amoeba constantly changes its shape and position.

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