PEROXISOMES

 PEROXISOMES

·      Peroxisomes are the organelles similar in structure to Lysosomes, but smaller.

·    Peroxisomes are found in all types of Eukaryotic cells but are especially prominent in the kidney and liver cells of mammals.

·    Peroxisomes were once thought to form by budding off the Endoplasmic Reticulum’ but now it is agreed that they form by the division of preexisting Peroxisomes.

Functions of Peroxisomes

·   Peroxisomes contain one or more enzymes that can oxidize various Organic substances. For example, substances such as Amino acids and Fatty acids are oxidized in Peroxisomes as part of normal metabolism.

·       Peroxisomes take part in Lipid metabolism.

·       Peroxisomes also involved in catabolism of Amino acids, Polyamines and Bile acids.

·    Peroxisomes contain Oxidase and Catalase, which are enzymes that degrade poisonous metabolic wastes such as Free radicals (Oxidase) and Hydrogen peroxide (Catalase) resulting from some oxygen-dependent reactions.

      In plants, Peroxisomes facilitate photosynthesis and seed germination. They prevent loss of energy during Photosynthesis Carbon fixation.