lysosomes
Intracellular waste processors
Lysosomes are membrane-bound compartments within cells that break down waste materials and cellular debris.
They contain digestive enzymes that decompose proteins, fats, and other molecules—functioning as the cell's recycling centers.
When lysosomes malfunction, waste accumulates, causing various storage diseases.
The singular is lysosome.
Cellular ingestion of particles
- macrophagesLarge pathogen-engulfing immune cells
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- immuneProtected from harm
- neutrophilsPathogen-engulfing white blood cells
bacteria · viruses · engulfment · antimicrobial · innate immunity · foreign material · parasites · phagocyte
Reaction-speeding proteins
- proteasesEnzymes cleaving peptide bonds
- lipasesFat-cleaving enzymes
- macromoleculesVery large molecular structures
- proteinsAmino acid polymers
lipids · carbohydrates · nucleic acids · degradation · breakdown · catabolism · substrate · digestive enzymes
Subcellular functional unit
- membrane-boundEncased by lipid bilayer
- eukaryoticHaving organized nuclear membrane
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
- vesicleSmall fluid-filled sac
endoplasmic reticulum · mitochondria · peroxisome · vacuole · endosome · intracellular · subcellular · compartment
Measure of solution acidity
- protonsPositive nuclear particles
- acidificationIncrease in hydrogen ions
- hydrogen ionsPositively charged atomic nuclei
- low pHHigh hydrogen ion concentration
Breakdown by own enzymes
- starvationExtreme nutritional deprivation
- degradationDecline in condition
- waste removalEliminating unwanted materials
Inherited lysosomal storage disorder
- accumulationCollected mass over time
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
- genetic disorderAbnormality in inherited code
phagocytosis
Cellular ingestion of particles
- macrophagesLarge pathogen-engulfing immune cells
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- immuneProtected from harm
neutrophils · bacteria · viruses · engulfment · antimicrobial · innate immunity · foreign material · parasites · phagocyte · myeloperoxidase
enzymes
Reaction-speeding proteins
- proteasesEnzymes cleaving peptide bonds
- lipasesFat-cleaving enzymes
- macromoleculesVery large molecular structures
proteins · lipids · carbohydrates · nucleic acids · degradation · breakdown · catabolism · substrate · digestive enzymes · glycoproteins
organelle
Subcellular functional unit
- membrane-boundEncased by lipid bilayer
- eukaryoticHaving organized nuclear membrane
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
vesicle · endoplasmic reticulum · mitochondria · peroxisome · vacuole · endosome · intracellular · subcellular · compartment
pH
Measure of solution acidity
- protonsPositive nuclear particles
- acidificationIncrease in hydrogen ions
- hydrogen ionsPositively charged atomic nuclei
self-digestion
Breakdown by own enzymes
- starvationExtreme nutritional deprivation
- degradationDecline in condition
- waste removalEliminating unwanted materials
Tay-Sachs
Inherited lysosomal storage disorder
- accumulationCollected mass over time
- neurodegenerationProgressive loss of neurons
- genetic disorderAbnormality in inherited code
- cellscells, blood cell, cell theory, nerve cell, red blood cell
- cell biologycell membrane, cell division, cytoplasm, ribosome, mitochondria
- Cell Organellesmitochondria, mitochondrion, ribosome, ribosomes, endoplasmic reticulum
- cell partsnucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, ribosomes, cell membrane
- Autophagyautophagy, LC3, flux, Rubicon, chloroquine
- cytologycytology, Pap test, cell division, cytoplasm, cervical smear
lysosomesribosomes
Cellular translation machinery
Golgi apparatus · endoplasmic reticulum · mitochondria · chloroplasts · nucleolus