Question

Why do lysosomes have a low ph?

Answer 1

Lysosomes:

1. Lysosomes are hydrolytic enzymes.
2. They need an acidic environment for proper functioning, they are referred to as acid hydrolases.
3. These enzymes help in the disintegration of polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, etc.
4. These enzymes require low pH compared to the cytoplasm to stay active.
5. The membrane proteins maintain the low pH by pumping protons into the lysosome‘s lumen from the cytosol, which utilizes the metabolic energy in the form of ATP.
6. Even if the lysosomal membrane were to rupture, the liberated acid hydrolases would be ineffective at the neutral pH of the cytosol, providing further protection against the uncontrolled digestion of the contents of the cytosol.
7. Lysosomes must aggressively concentrate H+ ions in order to maintain their acidic internal pH. (protons).
8. The lysosomal membrane has a proton pump that actively moves protons from the cytoplasm into the lysosome to achieve this.