WHAT IS THE FUNCTION OF LYSOSOMES?
Lysosomes are membrane bound vesicle which contain powerful enzymes capable of digesting all organic material.
Lysosome is an organelle in eukaryotic cytoplasm. The lysosomes are small unit membrane – bound sacs that store acid hydrolases. They contain powerful enzymes capable of digesting or breaking down all organic material. They digest food, foreign bodies and intracellular debris and recycle cell components.
If lysosome is absent,
- The cell start breakdown automatically. (Lysosome’s can protect the cell from self dissolution).
- Bacteria like microbe can enter into the cell and spoil it. (Lysosome can digest the microbe.)
- Cell debris cannot be removed. (Lysosome helps for cellular digestion.)
More to Know:
- Lysosomes are found practically in all animal cells. They are absent in plant cells and very rarely they present. They vary in shape, size and number per cell and appear to operate with slight differences in cells of yeast, higher plants and mammals. Though lysosomes present in all animal cells with the exception, they are absent in RBCs. Also absent in few plant cells. Example: Yeast, Fungi and green algae.