Which cell component is capable of cellular autodigestion when it is released during cell injury?

The correct answer is lysosomes because these organelles play a critical role in cellular digestion and waste processing. Lysosomes contain hydrolytic enzymes that are capable of breaking down various biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates.

During periods of cellular stress or injury, lysosomes can rupture, leading to the release of these enzymes into the cytoplasm. This process can initiate autodigestion, where the cell begins to digest its own components, resulting in cellular damage or death. This mechanism is particularly evident in scenarios such as ischemic injury or when a cell is exposed to toxins, where the integrity of lysosomes is compromised.

The other cell components listed do not have this autodigestive capability. Ribosomes are involved in protein synthesis, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum is primarily involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification processes, and the Golgi complex is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or use within the cell. None of these processes involve the destructive enzymatic activity that lysosomes facilitate during cellular injury.