2007-03-03 09:18:26 · 6 answers · asked by karen c 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Lysosomes are organelles that contain digestive enzymes (acid hydrolases). They digest excess or worn out organelles, food particles, and engulfed viruses or bacteria. The membrane surrounding a lysosome prevents the digestive enzymes inside from destroying the cell. Lysosomes fuse with vacuoles(are membrane-bound compartments within some eukaryotic cells that can serve a variety of secretory, excretory, and storage functions) and dispense their enzymes into the vacuoles, digesting their contents. They are built in the Golgi apparatus(it synthesises a large number of different macromolecules required for life eg.proteins,lipids etc.). The name lysosome derives from the Greek words lysis, which means dissolution or destruction, and soma, which means body. They are frequently nicknamed "suicide-bags" or "suicide-sacs" by cell biologists due to their role in autolysis. Lysosomes were discovered by the Belgian cytologist Christian de Duve in 1949.
2007-03-03 13:51:07 · answer #1 · answered by ANITHA 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Intracellular membrane-bounded organelle containing digestive enzymes. The interior of a lysosome is strongly acidic, and its enzymes are active at an acid pH.
2007-03-03 17:28:40 · answer #2 · answered by orangina 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lysomes are membrane bound organelles, thought to be formed by Golgi bodies, which are loaded with strong hydrolitic enzymes to carry out intracellular digestion
2007-03-03 17:54:52 · answer #3 · answered by Diamond in the Rough 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its the "stomach" of a eukaryotic cell where digestion takes place.
2007-03-03 18:27:17 · answer #4 · answered by dianna t 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are things in an animal cell that do somethin
2007-03-03 17:25:56 · answer #5 · answered by chezplz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
go to
2007-03-03 18:24:27 · answer #6 · answered by dianed33 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋