What is a key characteristic of microbodies in cells?

Microbodies, which are small, membrane-bound organelles found in various eukaryotic cells, are primarily characterized by their content of specialized enzymes. These enzymes play a crucial role in various metabolic processes. For instance, peroxisomes—a type of microbody—contain catalase, which decomposes hydrogen peroxide, a byproduct of metabolism, into water and oxygen. This function is essential for cellular detoxification processes.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately represent the primary function or characteristics of microbodies. They are not large and multi-membraned; instead, microbodies are typically small and single-membraned. They are not exclusively involved in photosynthesis, as that function is primarily associated with chloroplasts. Lastly, while microbodies can participate in degrading waste products within the cell, their primary characteristic is their role in containing specialized enzymes for metabolic reactions rather than serving as waste storage units.