Certain cells in the mouth produce large amounts of the enzyme amylase,a component of saliva that hydrolyzes carbohydrate.Which of the following organelles would be expected to be especially abundant in these cells?
A) chloroplasts
B) mitochondria
C) rough endoplasmic reticulum
D) lysosomes

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) is responsible for protein synthesis and modification, including the synthesis of enzymes such as amylase. Cells that produce large amounts of amylase would need a lot of RER to support the increased protein synthesis required. Chloroplasts are only present in plant cells and are responsible for photosynthesis, mitochondria are responsible for energy production, and lysosomes are involved in digestion and the breakdown of macromolecules. None of these organelles are directly involved in the production of amylase.

Certain Cells in the Mouth Produce Large Amounts of the Enzyme