What Is The Structure And Function Of The Lysosomes?

Lysosomes are membrane-bounded vesicles produced by the Golgi apparatus in animal cells and plant cells. Lysosomes are different from other organelles due to their morphology. These were isolated for the first time by de Duve.

Lysosomes are found in most eukaryotic cells. Any foreign body that gains entry into the cell it is immediately engulfed by the lysosomes and is completely broken into simple digestible pieces. This process is called phagocytosis. They are most abundant in those animals' cells, which exhibit phagocytic activity. They are bounded by a single membrane and are simple sacs rich in acid phosphatase and several other hydrolytic enzymes.

These enzymes are synthesized on RER and are further processed in the Golgi apparatus. The processed enzymes are budded off as Golgi vesicles and are called primary lysosomes.
The enzymes of lysosomes can digest the phagocytosed food particles. They are also involved in the autophagy. During this process some old, worn-out parts of the cell like old mitochondria are digested. So lysosomes are involved in recycling of cell contents and renewal of cell. Their enzyme can also result in the degeneration of the cell.

Lysosome occurs in most eukaryotic cells except mammalian RBC.                                                                                                                          They are bounded by single unit membrane and remain filled with dense material and generally have a size from 0.2-0.5 micrometre. It contains many acid hydrolases, proteaneses, glycosidases, lypases, phosphateses. Lysosomes are extremly dynamic organells because they change regularly their form and function.