Describe the structure and function of lysosomes

Lysosomes are simple tiny spherical sac-like structures evenly distributed in the cytoplasm Each lysosome is a small vesicle surrounded by a single membrane and contains powerful enzymes. These enzymes are capable of digesting or breaking down all organic materials.

• In animal cells they are usually spherical
•  Lysosomes serve as intracellular digestive system, so they are also known as digestive bags.
  • They destroy any foreign material which enter the cell such as bacteria or virus.
  • Lysosomes also remove the worn out and poorly working cellular organelles by digesting them to make way for their new replacements.  Since they remove cell debris, they are also known as scavengers, cellular housekeepers or demolition squads.
  • Lysosomes form a kind of garbage disposal system of cell
  • During breakdown of cell structure, when the cell gets damaged, lysosomes burst and the enzymes eat up their own cells. So, lysosomes are also known as suicide bags of a cell.