LYSOSOMES

LYSOSOMES

·       Lysosomes are present only in Eukaryotes. Also called as “Suicide bags” of the cell.

·    The term was coined by Christian de Duve, a Belgian biologist, who discovered it and ultimately got a Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology in the year 1974.

·       Lysosomes are roughly spherical and enclosed in a Single membrane.

·    The sizes of Lysosomes vary with the largest ones measuring in more at than 1.2 μm. But, they typically range from 0.1 μm to 0.6 μm.

·    Lysosomes are involved in intracellular digestion and contain the enzymes (nearly 50 enzymes) needed to digest all types of Macromolecules. These enzymes, called Hydrolases, catalyze the hydrolysis of molecules and function best under slightly acidic conditions (usually around pH 3.5 to 5.0).

·       Lysosomes maintain an acidic environment by pumping protons into their interior.

·    Lysosomes are called as “Suicide bags” because they are involved in Self destruction of Old and Damaged cells, Programmed cell death (Apoptosis) and Phagocytosis process.