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What is a Lysosome?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A lysosome is a structure inside an animal cell which breaks down materials into compounds which can be used or discarded by the cell, as needed. Lysosomes also play other important roles in cell upkeep, ranging from consuming worn-out structures within the cell to attacking foreign bacteria before it has a chance to penetrate the cells. With a powerful microscope, it is possible to see lysosomes within the cell; these structures are typically spherical in shape.

These structures are considered to be a form of organelle, meaning that they are a highly specialized structure within a cell. Organelles are responsible for the function of a cell, ensuring that it does what it is supposed to, replicates when it should, and dies off when it is no longer useful. These tiny organisms are quite complex, turning each cell into a microcosm of the human body. When organelles malfunction, the results can be very problematic for the host organism.

Lysosomes break down material for use or discard by animal cells.
Lysosomes break down material for use or discard by animal cells.

Each cell contains a multitude of lysosomes, and each lysosome produces an assortment of digestive enzymes which it uses to break down food and waste material. Because a lysosome needs an acidic environment to function properly, these organelles are encompassed in a membrane to ensure that they stay acidic; to digest things, a lysosome engulfs them, treats them with an appropriate enzyme, and then spits the results of the digestion back out for the cell to use.

Tay-Sachs Disease, which is a well-known lysosome-related disorder, may cause individuals to experience a loss of motor skills.
Tay-Sachs Disease, which is a well-known lysosome-related disorder, may cause individuals to experience a loss of motor skills.

Lysosomes eat the food supplied to cells by the body, enable recycling of worn organelles, defend cells from bacterial invaders, and patch the cell membrane, in the event that it is breached. Essentially, lysosomes could be viewed as the recycling centers of the cells, ensuring that everything which passes through a cell is utilized to maximum efficiency while discarding anything which cannot genuinely be used.

Failure to generate certain digestive enzymes may result in health problems.
Failure to generate certain digestive enzymes may result in health problems.

Christian de Duve is credited with the discovery of these organelles; he published a paper in 1949 which identified lysosomes and their function. A variety of health conditions can be caused by improper function of lysosomes. For example, the failure to generate certain digestive enzymes can cause health problems, as the body lacks the ability to break some things down. Tay-Sachs Disease is a well known example of a lysosome-related disorder.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllTheScience researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

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Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a AllTheScience researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

TanGoddess

The lysosome cells are often referred to as the stomach of a cell, is it acts inside the cell in ways similar to the way the stomach acts inside the body. It breaks down waste and processes it like. Think of it as digestion. Genetically inherited disorders called lysosomal storage disease, or LSD, occurs in about 1 of every 5000 births. It is a metabolism issue that affects the bone, cartilage and sometimes, even the brain. The most widely known variety of the issue is Gaucher’s Disease, but it’s often difficult to diagnose unless you recognize its symptoms, which include fatigue, bruising and anemia. As I understand it, there is no specific treatment for this, unfortunately.

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    • Lysosomes break down material for use or discard by animal cells.
      By: designua
      Lysosomes break down material for use or discard by animal cells.
    • Tay-Sachs Disease, which is a well-known lysosome-related disorder, may cause individuals to experience a loss of motor skills.
      By: Eva Vargyasi
      Tay-Sachs Disease, which is a well-known lysosome-related disorder, may cause individuals to experience a loss of motor skills.
    • Failure to generate certain digestive enzymes may result in health problems.
      By: Halfpoint
      Failure to generate certain digestive enzymes may result in health problems.
    • It's possible to see lysosomes within a cell using a powerful microscope.
      By: micromonkey
      It's possible to see lysosomes within a cell using a powerful microscope.