Summary
A vesicle filled with digestive enzymes that breaks down worn-out organelles, food particles and invaders.
In depth
Lysosomes contain around 50 acid hydrolases that work at pH 4.5 to 5, kept acidic by proton pumps. This acidity protects the cell: if a lysosome leaks, the enzymes are less active at the cytosol's neutral pH.
They digest material arriving by phagocytosis, endocytosis and autophagy. Defective lysosomal enzymes cause storage disorders such as Tay-Sachs disease, in which gangliosides build up in neurons.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lysosome?
A vesicle filled with digestive enzymes that breaks down worn-out organelles, food particles and invaders.
Which area of biology covers Lysosome, and how advanced is it?
Lysosome is one of the 52 topics in Cell Biology. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Endocytosis, Autophagy, Eukaryotic Cell.
Can you give an example of Lysosome?
White blood cells use lysosomes to destroy engulfed bacteria.
What should I learn before Lysosome?
Lysosome is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Cell Biology that pair well with it include Cell Theory, Prokaryotic Cell, Eukaryotic Cell.
What topics are related to Lysosome?
The closest topics to Lysosome are Endocytosis, Autophagy, Eukaryotic Cell, Cytoplasm. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Lysosome?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Lysosome. To practise the whole of Cell Biology, use the Cell Biology quiz.
How is Lysosome different from Endocytosis?
Lysosome: A vesicle filled with digestive enzymes that breaks down worn-out organelles, food particles and invaders. Endocytosis: The uptake of materials by folding the plasma membrane inward to form a vesicle inside the cell. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Lysosome step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Endocytosis and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Cell Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.