lysosome
Cell's recycling center
A lysosome is a small structure within a cell that breaks down waste materials and cellular debris.
These membrane-bound compartments contain digestive enzymes that decompose proteins, fats, and other molecules—functioning as the cell's recycling center.
When lysosomes malfunction, waste accumulates and causes disease.
Cellular self-degradation process
- vacuoleCell's storage compartment
- endosomeMembrane sac for internalized cargo
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
- peroxisomeEnzyme-filled cellular compartment
mitochondrion · endoplasmic reticulum · nucleus · cytoplasm · ribosome · centrosome · plasma membrane · cytoskeleton
Decline in condition
- catabolismMetabolic molecular dismantling
- phagocytosisCellular ingestion of particles
- proteolysisEnzymatic protein breakdown
- macromoleculeVery large molecule
lipid · protein · carbohydrate · nucleic acid · metabolism · intracellular · pH · acidic
Enzyme cleaving via water
- proteaseProtein-cleaving enzyme
- lipaseFat-dissolving enzyme
- nucleaseDNA-cleaving enzyme
- phosphatasePhosphate-cleaving enzyme
Inherited lysosomal storage disorder
- accumulationCollected mass over time
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
- hepatomegalyPathological liver enlargement
- genetic disorderAbnormality in inherited code
autophagy
Cellular self-degradation process
- vacuoleCell's storage compartment
- endosomeMembrane sac for internalized cargo
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
peroxisome · mitochondrion · endoplasmic reticulum · nucleus · cytoplasm · ribosome · centrosome · plasma membrane · cytoskeleton · microtubule
degradation
Decline in condition
- catabolismMetabolic molecular dismantling
- phagocytosisCellular ingestion of particles
- proteolysisEnzymatic protein breakdown
macromolecule · lipid · protein · carbohydrate · nucleic acid · metabolism · intracellular · pH · acidic · substrate
hydrolase
Enzyme cleaving via water
Tay-Sachs
Inherited lysosomal storage disorder
- accumulationCollected mass over time
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
- hepatomegalyPathological liver enlargement
- cell biologycell membrane, cell division, cytoplasm, ribosome, mitochondria
- Cell Componentsnucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, mitochondria, ribosome
- Cell Organellesmitochondria, mitochondrion, ribosome, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum
- cell partsnucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, ribosomes, cell membrane
- Microscopicbacterium, virus, amoeba, paramecium, microbe
- organellesmitochondria, mitochondrion, chloroplast, nucleus, ribosomes
lysosomeribosome
Protein synthesis site
Golgi apparatus · nucleolus · nucleus · mitochondrion · chloroplast