lysosome

(noun)

An organelle found in all types of animal cells which contains a large range of digestive enzymes capable of splitting most biological macromolecules.

Related Terms

Examples of lysosome in the following topics:

  • Regulation of Blood Cholesterol Levels

    • The vesicle then fuses with a lysosome, which has an enzyme called lysosomal acid lipase that hydrolyzes the cholesterol esters.

  • Microbial Evasion of Phagocytosis

    • Some bacteria prevent the fusion of a phagosome and lysosome from forming the phagolysosome.

  • Bone Tissue and the Effects of Aging

    • The osteoclasts are multi-nucleated cells that contain numerous mitochondria and lysosomes .

  • Semen

    • The ductuli efferentes possess cuboidal cells with microvilli and lysosomal granules that modify the semen by reabsorbing some fluid.

  • Phagocytes

    • The engulfed pathogen is kept in a vacuole called a phagosome, which then binds to the lysosomes inside the cell.
    • Macrophages do not have granules, but contain many lysosomes.

  • Antigen-Presenting Cells

    • The DC uses lysosome-associated enzymes to digest pathogen-associated proteins into smaller peptides.

  • Types of WBCs

    • MN leukocytes contain lysosomes, small vesicles containing digestive enzymes that break down foreign matter that is endocytosed by the cell during phagocytosis.