What is the primary function of lysosomes?

Lysosomes play a critical role in cellular metabolism by digesting cellular waste and recycling cellular components. They are membrane-bound organelles containing a variety of hydrolytic enzymes that break down biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. This digestion process is essential for maintaining cellular health, as it helps remove damaged organelles, misfolded proteins, and other debris that could disrupt cellular function if accumulated.

By performing this function, lysosomes contribute to the overall maintenance of cellular homeostasis and allow for the recycling of molecules, making nutrients available again for the cell's metabolic needs. This process can be particularly important during times of stress or starvation, where the breakdown of internal components can provide essential resources to support cellular survival and function.

The other options refer to different cellular functions that are not the primary role of lysosomes. Energy production is primarily associated with mitochondria, cell structure maintenance involves the cytoskeleton and other components of the cell, and protein synthesis mainly occurs in the ribosomes. Thus, the answer correctly identifies the primary function of lysosomes as the digestion of cellular waste.