Tay Sachs disease is primarily associated with which cell structure?

Tay-Sachs disease is primarily associated with lysosomes because it is a genetic disorder that results from a deficiency of an enzyme called Hexosaminidase A, which is crucial for the breakdown of certain lipids in the lysosomes. In healthy cells, lysosomes function as the waste disposal system, breaking down and recycling various biomolecules, including lipids. When the enzyme is deficient or absent, gangliosides accumulate in the nerve cells, leading to the symptoms associated with Tay-Sachs disease, such as neurological degeneration and developmental delays.

This link between Tay-Sachs and lysosomal dysfunction highlights the critical role that lysosomes play in cellular metabolism and waste management, particularly with respect to lipid processing.