Which organelle is responsible for digesting old organelles and foreign substances?

Lysosomes are specialized organelles found in animal cells that play a vital role in the cellular cleanup and recycling processes. They contain a variety of digestive enzymes capable of breaking down waste materials, damaged organelles, and external substances that the cell has engulfed. This functionality is crucial for maintaining cellular health and homeostasis, as it allows the cell to remove debris and recycle materials, thus preventing the accumulation of potentially harmful substances.

In contrast, mitochondria are primarily known as the powerhouses of the cell, generating energy in the form of ATP, while the Golgi body is involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion or delivery to other organelles. Ribosomes, on the other hand, are responsible for protein synthesis. Each of these organelles has distinct roles, but it is the lysosomes that specifically handle the degradation and digestion of old organelles and foreign substances, establishing their critical role in waste processing within the cell.