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Write a short note on lysosomes.

GeneralClass 12AllAnswered 27 Mar 2026
Answer

Lysosomes – "Suicidal bags" or "Cellular digestive system"

Structure:

  • Single membrane-bound spherical vesicles (0.2–0.8 µm)
  • Evenly distributed in cytoplasm
  • Budded from Golgi apparatus

Composition:

  • ~40 types of hydrolytic enzymes:
    • Proteases (digest proteins)
    • Lipases (digest lipids)
    • Carbohydrases (digest carbohydrates)
    • Nucleases (digest nucleic acids)
  • Enzymes synthesized by RER and packaged in Golgi
  • Function optimally at pH 4.5–5.0 (acidic)

Functions:

  1. Intracellular digestion (autophagy, heterophagy)
  2. Phagocytosis (in WBCs)
  3. Autolysis (programmed cell death)
  4. Removal of damaged organelles

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General · Class 12