Lysosomes are single membrane-enclosed, 0.2-0.5 m-diameter spherical vesicles inside the cytosol of eukaryotic cells. They contain digestive enzymes used for controlled hydrolysis of targeted cellular components and materials entering cells by phagocytosis and pinocytosis. The pH inside lysosomes is about 5 versus near neutrality for the surrounding cytosol.
a. What is the concentration of H+ inside lysosomes?
b. How many times more concentrated are the protons inside lysosomes compared to cytosol? c. Assuming you start with neutral lysosomes, how many protons must be transported into
each to lower the pH to 5.0? (Your answer should be a range of values, reflecting the range in size of lysosomes.)