What are the organelles known as the "garbage men" of the cell that remove damaged organelles?

Lysosomes are often referred to as the "garbage men" of the cell due to their crucial role in digesting and breaking down waste materials, cellular debris, and damaged organelles. They contain enzymes that can degrade various biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates, thereby facilitating the recycling of cellular components. This process is essential for maintaining cellular health and function, ensuring that damaged or non-functional organelles do not accumulate within the cell.

The other options, although important cellular structures, do not perform this waste management function. The nucleus is primarily responsible for storing genetic material and regulating gene expression. Mitochondria are involved in energy production and metabolism, serving as the powerhouse of the cell. The Golgi apparatus plays a key role in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles but does not manage waste disposal. This distinction highlights the unique and critical function of lysosomes in cellular maintenance and cleanliness.