A young man who ran 6 miles a day throughout high school is injured during his first season running cross country in college. He must rest for three months and then gradually begin exercising again. The skeletal muscles in his lower limbs decrease in size during this prolonged period of inactivity. The organelles that break down his muscle proteins are

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lysosomes are organelles responsible for breaking down cellular waste and proteins, including muscle proteins during a process called autophagy. In the case of muscle atrophy caused by prolonged inactivity, lysosomes play a crucial role in breaking down muscle tissues for the body to use as energy, resulting in a decrease in muscle size. Therefore, option B) lysosomes are the correct answer.

A Young Man Who Ran 6 Miles a Day Throughout