lysosome

Thân thiện

A student observes a lysosome in a diagram of an animal cell.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A membrane-bound cell organelle: A lysosome is a specialized, sac-like structure within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. It is enclosed by a single membrane and contains a variety of powerful digestive enzymes.
   • A site of intracellular digestion: The primary function of a lysosome is to break down and recycle various materials. It digests macromolecules, worn-out cell parts, and engulfed particles like bacteria.

Usage

The word lysosome is a scientific term used specifically in cell biology and biochemistry. It functions as a countable noun.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The lysosome fuses with a vacuole containing the material to be digested.
  • Enzymes within the lysosome are active at an acidic pH.
  • A malfunctioning lysosome can lead to storage diseases.

Advanced Usage

• Lysosomal: This is the related adjective form.
  • Lysosomal enzymes are crucial for cellular waste processing.
  • The lysosomal membrane protects the rest of the cell from the digestive enzymes inside.

Variants and Related Words

• Lysosomal (adjective): Of or relating to a lysosome or its function.
• Lysosomotropic (adjective): Describing a substance that is preferentially taken up into lysosomes.

Synonyms

• Digestive vacuole: (A descriptive synonym, though not perfectly equivalent, as some vacuoles may not contain the full suite of lysosomal enzymes.)

Different Meanings

The word lysosome has a single, specific meaning in biology and does not have other common definitions.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an organelle found in the cytoplasm of most cells (especially in leukocytes and liver and kidney cells)