Question

Lysosomes are absent in animal cells
A) Erythrocytes
B) Plasma cells
C) Nerve cells
D) Muscle cells

Answer 1

Hint:Lysosomes are membrane bound fluid filled organelles containing various hydrolytic enzymes that can break down many types of biomolecules. They are mainly responsible for the removal of worn out cell organelles and also play a very important role in cell death.

Complete answer:
Let us look at each option one by one.
A) Erythrocytes, also called red blood cells (RBCs) are the cells responsible for transport of oxygen throughout the body with the help of the protein haemoglobin. To enable the RBCs to carry an increased load of oxygen, the cells have developed to function without the nucleus and other associated cell organelles, as a result these cells also lack the Lysosomes. Thus, this is the correct option.
B) Plasma cells are B lymphocytes that are responsible for the generation of antibodies that help in strengthening the immune defense of the body against infections. Lymphocytes sometimes phagocytose (ingest) the pathogen that they attach to and then kill it using the hydrolytic enzymes present within them. These enzymes originate from the lysosomes. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
The nerve cells are the fundamental units of the nervous system and contain almost all cell organelles concentrated in the nerve cell body including lysosomes. When nerve cells get injured, they cannot divide and produce more nerve cells, as a result, nerve cells on injury are destroyed by the lysosomal enzymes. Hence, this option is incorrect.
D) Muscle cells like other major cell types contain most of the cell organelles including lysosomes. Sometimes, genetic mutations can lead to impaired lysosomal functioning. Many of these disorders express themselves in the cells of the skeletal muscles causing severe deficiencies and discomfort in the body. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

Thus, the correct answer is option (A) Erythrocytes.

Note:Lysosomes are also referred to as the ‘suicidal bags’ of the cell. In the situation of nearing cell death, the lysosomes begin to devour the cell organelles and this results to an increase in the size of these lysosomes and when they reach the maximum size, they burst, releasing their hydrolytic enzymes into the cell rupturing the cytoplasm and completely killing the cell.