Lysosomes are membranous “bags”, which appear in a variety of sizes, containing powerful digestive enzymes. Each lysosomes is enclosed by a membrane that sustains an acidic environment. They can be found in all eukaryotic cells and act as the cells’ “demolition site” as they are capable of digesting macro molecules, old cell parts, microorganisms and most foreign substances that enter the cell. The enzymes contained in the lysosomes are formed by ribosomes and are then packaged by the Golgi apparatus. Lysosomes (which are common in animal cells but are rare in plant cells) contain a range of hydrolytic enzymes which take part in the digestion of macromolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins and polysaccharides. These hydrolytic enzymes are only active within the acidic interior of the lysosome. This acid-dependency of the enzymes prevents the self-deterioration of the cell in case of lysosomal leakage or rupture.
Lysosomes can be found in all animal cells but they are abundantly present in most disease-fighting cells, such as the white blood cells. This is because white blood cells engulf bacteria and other potentially harmful substances more than most other types of cells.
The membrane of lysosomes are usually quite stable, however becomes quite fragile if the cell is injured, void of oxygen lysosomal or if excessive quantities of vitamin A is present in the cell. These could cause a rupture of the membrane which would result in the self-digestion of the cell.
There are several human disease that are caused by lysosomal enzyme disorders which impede the cellular digestion. An example of this would be Tay-Sachs disease, which results from a genetic defect that interrupts the formation of gangliosides, an important enzyme that breaks down complex lipids. Build-up of these lipids could damage the nervous system, result in mental retardation or even