Lysosomes are organelles that contain digestive enzymes and are capable of breaking down most biological molecules. They are spherical, bounded by a single membrane, and range in size from 0.2 to 0.8 microns. Lysosomes contain many enzymes that are produced by the rough endoplasmic reticulum and help the cell digest waste, remove old or damaged cell components through autolysis, and destroy any invading bacteria or viruses.

2. What are lysosomes
 Lysosomes are simple one membrane bound sacs filled
organelles with digestive enzymes and capable of
splitting most biological molecules.

3. Structure of lysosomes
 They are Globular having diameter of 0.2 to 0.8 microns
 Bounded by lipo protein layer that insulates enzymes
from the rest of the cell
 A single lysosomes contains many enzymes
• Some of these enzymes are:
• Nucleases, phosphateses , proteases, lipases and
sulphatases
• These enzymes are prepared By RER

4. Origin of lysosomes
• They have multiple origins depending upon the tissue in
which they are located or on their function in a specific
cell.
• 1. Extracellular origin:
• Lysosomes may be the vacuoles absorbed into cell by the
process, pinocytosis. Pinocytic vacuole may later become
cytoplasmic particle
• 2. Origin from Golgi complex:
Golgi complex forms tiny vesicles that separate from the
ends of the golgi cistarnae

6. Function of lysosomes
• Lysosomes digest the organic waste that is produced due
to the various metabolic activities of the cell.
• They play an important function is removing the worn
out cell organelles and organic debris by a process called
Autolysis.
• It protects the cell by destroying any foreign bacteria or
virus that invades the cell
• When a cell gets old or damaged, lysosomes burst and
the enzymes digest their own cells. This is called as
Autolysis. Therefore, lysosomes are also referred to as
‘Suicide Bags’.

7. Importance
• These organelles are important because they carry
enzymes which can harm other structures within a cell
• Also performs functions concerned with removing
unwanted material
Reference :
• Molcular biology of cell , sixth edition by Bruce Alberts