Which of the following organelles is called the "Suicidal bags" of the cell?

ISRO 2024

Applied Physiology

Easy

Appeared in: ISRO 2024

Explanation

Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles filled with powerful digestive enzymes known as hydrolytic enzymes.
Their primary role is to break down waste, foreign particles, and old cell parts.
When a cell is irreparably damaged or at the end of its life, the lysosomal membranes can rupture, a process called autolysis.
The released enzymes then digest the cell from the inside out, leading to cell death.
This self-destructive capability is the reason they are referred to as the "suicidal bags" of the cell.

Option A: Cytoplasm is the entire content within the cell membrane, excluding the nucleus. It is the medium in which organelles are suspended, not an organelle itself with digestive functions.
Option C: Mitochondria are famously known as the 'powerhouses' of the cell. Their primary function is cellular respiration and the production of ATP (energy), not cellular digestion.
Option D: The Endoplasmic Reticulum is a network involved in synthesizing proteins (rough ER) and lipids (smooth ER), as well as transport within the cell. It does not contain the digestive enzymes for autolysis.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Function and Nicknames of Cellular Organelles as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding lysosomal function is crucial in medicine because their malfunction can lead to a group of about 50 rare genetic disorders known as Lysosomal Storage Diseases (LSDs), such as Tay-Sachs and Gaucher's disease. In these conditions, a specific enzyme is deficient, causing waste products to accumulate in cells and lead to progressive damage.
Lysosomes are also key players in the immune response. Phagocytic cells like macrophages use their lysosomes to digest pathogens (e.g., bacteria, viruses) that they engulf.
What if? If a cell's lysosomes were unable to fuse with autophagosomes (vesicles containing old organelles), the cell would accumulate damaged and non-functional components. This failure of cellular 'housekeeping' is linked to aging and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'organelle' and the nickname 'suicidal bags'.
This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of the common names and functions of cell organelles.
Systematically review the function of each option provided.
Option A, Cytoplasm: Recall this is the cell's internal environment, not a discrete organelle.
Option B, Lysosomes: Recall their function in digestion and waste breakdown. The prefix 'lys-' means to break down or dissolve. The term 'suicidal' implies self-destruction, which links directly to the process of autolysis where lysosomes digest their own cell.
Option C, Mitochondria: Recall this is the 'powerhouse' for energy production (ATP).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 1 p. 31-33

E6 Anatomy Applied Ashalatha 4e p. 60-62