Education, Secondary education and schools
Education, varieties, structure and function of lysosomes
Our article we would like to devote 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 the structure and function of lysosomes is, I want to clarify some details. All living organisms that surround us consist of structural particles, cells. They can be seen only with the help of a microscope. But a cell is a complete system, consisting of smaller details, which are usually called organoids. Today we will talk about one of them.
Lysosome: what is this?
What is the structure and function of lysosomes? These organelles are small in size, so a large number can be placed in the cage. On the other hand, the cells of some algae contain only 1 or 2 lysosomes, the dimensions of which greatly exceed the usual ones (about 0.2 μm). So, all the lysosomes can be divided into three groups:
- Primary;
- Secondary;
- Residual bodies.
Since we are considering how the structure and function of lysosomes look, then from the article it becomes clear to you why these species are needed and what their significance is for the vital activity of the cell. It is important only to clarify that the primary lysosomes pass into secondary lysosomes, 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, which separates the biologically active substances from the internal environment of the cell. In the table we give the most significant enzymes and tell you about their functions.
Enzyme | Value |
Esterases | They are necessary for the cleavage of ether 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. This is how mono- and oligonucleotides are formed. |
Glycosidases | Enzymes of this group provide the process of splitting carbohydrates. |
Hydrolases | Served for the hydrolysis of amides. |
Formation of lysosomes
So, we have learned what are the lysosomes, structure and functions (briefly) which we briefly consider in this article. We have already talked about the fact that organelles are divided into three groups (primary, secondary and residual bodies). The first group is formed from the membrane of the Golgi apparatus, they are easily confused at this stage with small vacuoles. Lysosomes can merge and form organelles of more complex structure and size.
If the primary lysosome captures any substances, then the process of cell digestion starts. The organoid, which is capable of splitting compounds with enzymes, already belongs to the category of secondary lysosomes. As a result of digestion of substances, condensed residual bodies may form (this is the third stage of the life cycle of the lysosome).
Functions of organelles
We examined the types of lysosomes, the structure and functions (table) - this is our next question. We decided to use the most intuitive and understandable form, that is, the table.
Function | Characteristic |
Intracellular digestion | Lysosomes contain a large number of enzymes that can cleave any compounds by hydrolysis. And intracellular digestion takes place. The substances enter the lysosome and are processed, forming low-molecular compounds, which the cell then uses for its own needs. |
Autophagy | This process allows you to get rid of unnecessary or old organelle cells. Autophagy is a method of renewing cellular organelles. |
Autolysis | In another way, this process can be called self-destruction of the cell. When the membranes of all the lysosomes of a 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 if the work of these organelles is broken, some diseases may arise. For example, hereditary diseases associated with the disruption of the functions of lysosomes are known to medicine. To this group of pathologies include mucopolysaccharidoses, sphingolipidoses, glycoproteinoses and many others.
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