Lysosomes: definition, characteristics and function

The lysosomes are Organelles that are inside the cell. They have the function analogous to the stomach: it is they who carry out cell digestion. Within them there are enzymes encapsulated hydrolase that help break the protein bonds, nucleic acids and sugars, with the purpose of create simpler particles and of lower molecular weight that can be admitted back to metabolic routes.

Discover more about cellular organelles: what are, functions and examples in this article that we suggest.

Now that we know that lysosomes are cellular organelles, we will see what their most outstanding characteristics are:

• They are from Animal origin: Lysosomes are found in the cell, but only in animals. Do not hesitate to take a look at this other post of Ecology Verde on the parts of the animal cell.
• They are from spherical form and They derive from the Golgi apparatus.
• Are polymorphic: That is not to have a certain size. This is because they can have different contents inside.
• Exists More than a lysosome by cell: There cannot only be a lysosome, but have to be several.
• Are delimited abroad For a simple membrane: it is waterproof to external substances.
• They require intermediary proteins: They are inserted in the membrane and use them to communicate with the outside.
• They encompass one large number of enzymes.
• Their internal matrices have a very acidic pH of 5: This is the purpose that the enzymes they contain can be functional.
• They have one Very glycosylated internal hemembrane: It serves to protect themselves from such an acidic pH, which means that proteins bind to oligosaccharides.

The first classification of lysosomes can be grouped into:

• Primary lysosomes: They are the ones that are formed first and are very young. They have not begun their digestion process and are small and homogeneous, of approximately 0.05 to 0.5 microns in diameter. They are located near the trans face of the Golgi apparatus, which is the area that sends the vesicles.
• Secondary lysosomes: These are the lysosomes that are already active and digest. They are of different sizes between them. They are larger than primary lysosomes because they are already processing molecules.

According to what they engulf, lysosomes can also be classified as:

• Heterolisosome: They are those that digest digestion, bacteria and viruses. If you want to know the difference between viruses and bacteria we leave you this article to find out.
• Autolisosome: They are the ones that digest the cell completely by apoptosis.

The function of these organelles is digest substances (cell digestion) that are inside the cell and also those that enter from outside. This digestion It has four purposes:

Recycling

The first is that they process the molecules to recycle them in the metabolism of the cell. By turning them into simpler molecules they can be used again. This is a great efficiency strategy to Avoid waste and energy expenditure. They convert, for example, proteins into amino acids, large sugar molecules into simple sugars, and lipids in simple fatty acids.

Elimination

The second purpose of digestion is that Organelles or proteins eliminate deteriorated Over time. Deterior organelles can generate reactive oxygen species, causing aging. Lysosomes have the ability to encompass these organelles completely and even cytoplasm portions that need to be renewed.

Regulation

On the other hand, the process also helps regulate cell growth, giving Balance to the cell and also regulating cell homeostasis, which keeps the cell in balance Faced with possible external changes. In case the cell is completely deteriorated, lysosomes lead to apoptosis or programmed cell death, where they self -destruct the cell.

Collaboration

Finally, lysosomes collaborate to get rid of external threats as bacteria or viruses, processing them to undo and expel them already inactive. If you are wondering if viruses are living beings? Or you want to know the types of bacteria, we recommend these two posts.

The process of lysosomes It is completed by endocytosisprocess where the particles in question are engulfed, and wraps them in vesicles. These vesicles are called digestive vacuolas and, once they process the content, they release it again in it to be reused by the cell. What cannot be digested is released from the cell.

When lysosomes do not work well they can lead to multiple diseases. Having several functions, diseases that derive from malfunction are multiple. They are rare and of genetic origin, but some of them are Gaucher’s disease and Pompe’s disease.

Lysosomes are organelles relatively simple in terms of structure. They are composed of A lipid bilayerwhere conveyor proteins are inserted that allow the passage of particles to the interior and outside. Within said layer The numerous enzymes are found that process the particles, which can be:

• ALFA GLUCOSIDASA
• Collagenase
• Elastase
• Ribonuclease
• Lipasas

Such enzymes They work with specific substrates and can be classified according to the molecule they process. Proteases degrade proteins, DNAASA and RNAASA nucleas processes nucleic acids, carbohydrates are broken down through smooth and glucosidases, lipids by phospholipases and lipases, organic molecules phosphates by phosphateas and sulfate esters by arilsulfatas.

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