!

Navigation

8 Main Functions of Lysosomes |

Biology
Article Shared by
ADVERTISEMENTS:

Some of the main functions of Lysosomes

are as follows:

1. Intracellular digestion:
The word lysosome is derived from (lyso lytic or
digestive; and soma body) thus helping in
digestion.

Pinocytic vacuoles formed as a result of

absorption of fluid substance into cell or
phagocytic vacuoles formed by absorption of solid
particles into cell, carry protein material to
lysosomal region.

Image Courtesy :
physiologyonline.physiology.org/content/25/2/102/F1.large.jpg

ADVERTISEMENTS:

#KredivoCintaku - Cicilan Tanpa Kartu

Nikmati cicilan tanpa DP dengan bunga terendah di 200+ e-
commerce dan pinjaman tunai hingga 20 juta.

Watch more

Replay

Watch more

These foreign proteins may undergo digestion

within cell as a result of endocytosis. Endocytosis
includes the processes of phagocytosis (Gr.,
phagein, to eat), pinocytosis (Gr., pinein, to drink)
and micropinocytosis.

Phagocytosis and pinocytosis are active

mechanisms in which cell requires energy for
their operation. During phagocytosis by
leucocytes oxygen consumption, glucose uptake
and glycogen breakdown all increase significantly.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

In endocytosis contraction of microfilaments of

actin and myosin present in the peripheral
cytoplasm occurs. It causes plasma membrane to
invaginate and form the endocytic vacuole.
Ingested particles enclosed in membranes derived
from the plasma membrane and forming vacuoles
are sometimes celled phagosomes.

After the entrance of a particle or large body into

the cell by endocytosis and the formation of a
phagosome, the membranes of the phagosome
and a lysosome may fuse to form a single large
vacuole. Within this vacuole the lysosomal
enzymes begin the process of digestion of the
foreign material.

Initially the lysosome, known as a primary

lysosome containing the complex of enzymes in
an inactive state, but after fusion with the
phagosome produces a secondary lysosome with a
different morphology and active enzymes.

After enzymatic digestion the digested material

diffuses out into the hyaloplasm of the cell. Some
material may remain in the enlarged lysosome
vacuole. This remnant vacuole is the residual
body, since it contains the residue of digestive
process. During starvation also, lysosomes digest
stored food materials, i.e., proteins, lipids and
glycogen of cytoplasm and provide energy
required by the cell.

Digestion of proteins usually ends at the level of

dipeptide, which can pass through the membrane
and be further digested into amino acids.

Carbohydrates are usually hydrolysed to

monosaccharides which are easily released.
However, disaccharides and polysaccharides
(cellobiose, inulin or dextrin) are not digested and
remain within the lysosome.

Sucrose may be taken into macrophages by

pinocytosis, but it is not hydrolyzed and remains
trapped in secondary lysosomes.

Digestion of intracellular
substances or autophagy:
ADVERTISEMENTS:

Many cellular components, such as mitochondria,

are constantly being removed from the cell by
lysosomal system. Cytoplasmic organelles become
surrounded by membranes of smooth
endoplasmic reticulum, forming vacuoles, then
lysosomal enzymes are discharged into
autophagic vacuoles and the organelles are
digested. Autophagy is a general property of
eukaryotic cells. It is related to the normal
renovation and turnover of cellular components.

The digestion of mitochondria or other cell

structures, such as elements of ER, provides a
source of energy for these cells. After the digestion
of cell structure, the autophagic vacuoles may
become residual bodies.

2. Removal of dead cells:

Hirsch and Cohn (1964) told that lysosomes help
in the removal of dead cells in tissues such as
white blood cells with engulfed bacterium in
blood, cells in the outer layer of skin and mucous
membrane linings of the body.

Lysosomal membrane ruptures in these cells,

releasing enzymes into body of cell, so that whole
cell may be digested. Lysosomes contain a
sufficient complement of enzymes to digest most
types of biological or organic materials and the
digestive process (autolysis) occurs quite rapidly
in dead cells. This process of tissue degeneration
(necrosis) is due to this lysosomal activity.

3. Role in metamorphosis:
Recently lysosome’s role has been discovered in
the metamorphosis of frog. Disappearance of tail
from tadpole larva of frog is due to lysosomal
activity (action of cathepsins present in
lysosomes) as described by Weber.

4. Help in protein synthesis:

Novikoff and Essner (1960) have suggested the
possible role of lysosomes in protein synthesis.
Recently, the author (Dr. Singh 1972), has
correlated lysosomal activity with the protein
synthesis. In liver and pancreas of some birds,
lysosomes seem to be more active and developed
as reported by Singh (1972), showing possible
relationship with cell metabolism.

5. Help in fertilization:
During fertilization, sperms head secrete some
lysosomal enzymes which help in the penetration
of sperm into vitelline layer of ovum. Acrosome
contains protease and hyaluronidase and
abundant acid phosphatase. Hyaluronidase
disperse the cells around the oocyte and protease
digests the zona pellucida making a channel
through which sperm nucleus penetrates.

6. Role in osteogenesis:
It has been argued that formation of bone cells
and also their destruction depends upon
lysosomal activity. Likewise, ageing of cells and
parthenogenetic development are related with the
lysosome activity.

The osteoclasts (multinucleated cells) which

remove bone, do so by the release of lysosomal
enzymes which degrade the organic matrix. This
process is activated by the parathyroid hormone.

7. Malfunctioning of lysosomes:
Lysosomal malfunction may lead to diseases, for
example, when glycogen taken up by lysosomes is
not digested (Pompe’s disease). Ruptures of
lysosomes in skin cells exposed to direct sun light
leads to pathological changes following sunburn.
The enzymes liberated by these lysosomes kill
cells in the epidermis, causing blistering and later
to ‘peeling’ of a layer of epidermis.

8. Autolysis in cartilage and

bone tissue:
The excess of vitamin A causes cell poisoning. It
disrupts the lysosomal membrane, causing release
of enzymes into the cell and producing autolysis
in cartilage and bone tissue.

Related Articles:

1. Useful Notes on the Four Kinds of

Lysosomes | Biology

Welcome to BiologyDiscussion! Our mission is

to provide an online platform to help students
to share notes in Biology. This website
includes study notes, research papers, essays,
articles and other allied information submitted
by visitors like YOU.

Before sharing your knowledge on this site,

please read the following pages:

1. Content Guidelines
2. Privacy Policy
3. TOS
4. Disclaimer Copyright

Share Your Knowledge

Share Your Word File

Share Your PDF File

Share Your PPT File

QUESTIONS

What would be the consequences if there is no

meiosis in organisms that reproduce sexually? 1
Answer

What is meant by external fertilization? 0 Answers

Why mitochondria is called as the power house of the

cell? 0 Answers

Can plants feel? 3 Answer

Bile juice contains no digestive enzymes, yet it is

important for digestion. Why? 0 Answers

What is heredity? 0 Answers

What are transgenic bacteria? Give one example. 0

Answers

What is a peptide bond? How many peptide bonds

are present in a tripeptide? 0 Answers

Which organelle is known as “power house” of the

cell? 42 Answer

Why are date palms called dioecious? 0 Answers

What is open and closed type of circulatory system?

0 Answers

What are the different types of microscopes? 0

Answers

ABOUT US

Home

Publish your Articles

Privacy Policy

Contact Us

SUGGESTIONS

Report Spelling and Grammatical Errors

Suggest Us

SPONSORED SEARCHES

Cell Biology

Human Plasma

SPONSORED SEARCHES

Protein Synthesis

Cell Human

NEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND

FORUM CATEGORIES

Animal Kingdom

Biodiversity

Biological Classification

Biology An Introduction 11

Biology An Introduction

Biology in Human Welfare 175

Biomolecules

Biotechnology 43

Body Fluids and Circulation

Breathing and Exchange of Gases

Cell 216

Cell- Structure and Function

Chemical Coordination

Digestion and Absorption

Diversity in the Living World 125

Ecology 93

Ecosystem

Environmental Issues

Evolution

Excretory System

Flowering Plants

Food Production

Genetics and Evolution 110

Human Health and Diseases

Human Physiology 247

Human Reproduction

Immune System

Living World

Locomotion and Movement

Microbes in Human Welfare

Mineral Nutrition

Molecualr Basis of Inheritance

Neural Coordination

Nutrition

Organisms and Population

Photosynthesis

Plant Growth and Development

Plant Kingdom

Plant Physiology 261

Principles and Processes

Principles of Inheritance and Variation

Reproduction 245

Reproduction in Animals

Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Reproduction in Organisms

Reproductive Health

Respiration

Structural Organisation in Animals

Transport in Plants

Trending 14

Forum Categories
Animal Kingdom

Biodiversity

Biological Classification

Biology An Introduction 11

Biology An Introduction

Biology in Human Welfare 175

Biomolecules

Biotechnology 43

Body Fluids and Circulation

Breathing and Exchange of Gases

Cell 216

Cell- Structure and Function

Chemical Coordination

Digestion and Absorption

Diversity in the Living World 125

Ecology 93

Ecosystem

Environmental Issues

Evolution

Excretory System

Flowering Plants

Food Production

Genetics and Evolution 110

Human Health and Diseases

Human Physiology 247

Human Reproduction

Immune System

Living World

Locomotion and Movement

Microbes in Human Welfare

Mineral Nutrition

Molecualr Basis of Inheritance

Neural Coordination

Nutrition

Organisms and Population

Photosynthesis

Plant Growth and Development

Plant Kingdom

Plant Physiology 261

Principles and Processes

Principles of Inheritance and Variation

Reproduction 245

Reproduction in Animals

Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Reproduction in Organisms

Reproductive Health

Respiration

Structural Organisation in Animals

Transport in Plants

Trending 14

What would be the consequences if

there is no meiosis in organisms that
reproduce sexually? Answer Now