We would like to devote our article to the question of what constitutes the structure and function of lysosomes. We will examine this topic in detail from different angles, including the features of the formation process of these structures, their varieties, structural features, and many other issues.
Before considering what constitutes the structure and function of lysosomes, I would like to clarify some details. All living organisms that surround us are composed of structural particles, cells. They can only be seen with a microscope. But the cell is a complete system consisting of smaller parts, which are commonly called organoids. Today we’ll talk about one of them.
Lysosome: what is it?
What is the structure and function of lysosomes? These are small organelles, so a huge amount of them can be placed in the cell. On the other hand, the cells of some algae contain only 1 or 2 lysosomes, the sizes of which greatly exceed the usual ones (about 0.2 microns). So, all lysosomes can be divided into three groups:
- primary;
- secondary
- residual bodies.
Since we consider what the structure and function of lysosomes looks like, then from the article it will become clear to you why these species are needed and what their significance is for the life of the cell. It is only important to clarify that the primary lysosomes pass into the secondary ones, but the reverse process is impossible.
The structure of lysosomes
What are lysosomes, structure, and functions? The table will help us understand what is inside the organelles. Organoids contain more than 50 different protein enzymes. The lysosome itself is covered with a thin membrane that separates biologically active substances from the internal environment of the cell. In the table we list the most significant enzymes and talk about their functions.
Enzyme | Value |
Esterase | Needed for the breakdown of essential alcohols. |
Peptide Hydrolases | Necessary for the hydrolysis of compounds having a peptide bond. This group includes proteins, peptides and some other substances. |
Nuclease | This group of enzymes accelerates the hydrolysis of phosphodiester bonds in the polynucleotide chain of nucleic acids. So mono - and oligonucleotides are formed. |
Glycosidase | Enzymes of this group provide the process of splitting carbohydrates. |
Hydrolases | Serve for hydrolysis of amides. |
Lysosome formation
So, we have learned what lysosomes are, whose structure and functions (briefly) are briefly discussed in this article. We have already said that organelles are divided into three groups (primary, secondary and residual bodies). The first group is formed from the membrane of the Golgi apparatus; at this stage they are easily confused with small vacuoles. Lysosomes can merge and form organelles of a more complex structure and size.
If the primary lysosome captures any substances, then the process of cellular digestion starts. An organoid that is capable of cleaving compounds using enzymes already belongs to the category of secondary lysosomes. As a result of the digestion of substances, compacted residual bodies can form (this is the third stage of the lysosome life cycle).
Organelle functions
We examined the types of lysosomes, structure and functions (table) - this is our next question. We decided to use the most obvious and understandable form, that is, a table.
Function | Characteristic |
Intracellular digestion | Lysosomes contain a large number of enzymes capable of cleaving any compounds by hydrolysis. This is how intracellular digestion occurs. Substances enter the lysosomes and are processed, forming low molecular weight compounds, which the cell then uses for its own needs. |
Autophagy | This process allows you to get rid of unnecessary or old cell organelles. Autophagy is a way of renewing cellular organelles. |
Autolysis | In another way, this process can be called self-destruction of the cell. When the membranes of all lysosomes of the cell are destroyed, the latter dies. |
Conclusion
We learned what lysosomes are. Features of the structure and function (table) were given in the article. In conclusion, I would like to say that in case of a malfunction of these organelles, some diseases can occur. For example, medicine knows hereditary diseases associated with a violation of the functions of lysosomes. This group of pathologies includes mucopolysaccharidoses, sphingolipidoses, glycoproteinoses and many others.