Lysosomes



A cell is made up of many different organelles. One such organelle that is found in all animal cells is the Lysosome. The word lysosome comes from the Greek words 'lysis' which means the dissolution or destruction and 'soma' which means body. They are spherical organelles that contain specialized enzymes called acid hydrolases. They brake up food so that it is easier to digest and uptake for the cell and the body. Lysosomes are typically found in animal cells, whereas in yeast and some plant cells, the same roles are performed by organelles known as lytic vacuoles. The size of lysosomes varies between 0.1 to 1.2um.
 * Description**

At the cellular level, lysosomes are a cell's first line of defense. They act as the disposal system of the cell and are responsible for digesting the macromolecules that pose a threat to the cell by phagocytosis. Another function includes digesting foreign bacteria (or other forms of waste) that invade a cell and help to repair damage to the plasm membrane by serving as a membrane patch, sealing the wound.
 * Functions**

They are frequently nicknamed "suicide-bags" or "suicide-sacs".
 * Nicknames**