Lysosome Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering the structure, function, importance, interconnections, and real-world relevance of lysosomes based on the lecture notes.

Lysosome

An organelle found in the cytoplasm of the cell, named after 'lysis' or disintegration, and discovered by Christian de Duve in 1955.

Organelle

A specialized subunit within a cell that performs a specific function. Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles.

Lysis

Disintegration; the term from which 'lysosome' is derived, referring to the breakdown of materials.

Christian de Duve

The scientist who discovered the lysosome in 1955.

Membrane-bound organelles

A characteristic of lysosomes, meaning they are enclosed by a membrane and contain various enzymes.

Hydrolytic enzyme mixture

The various enzymes, about 50 types, contained within lysosomes that are responsible for breaking down biological polymers.

Lumen (Lysosome)

The acidic fluid (pH 5) that fills the interior of the lysosome.

Transport proteins (Lysosomal)

Proteins lining the lysosomal membrane that facilitate the intake of biological material.

Biological polymers

Macromolecules such as proteins, DNA, carbohydrates, and lipids that are broken down by lysosomal enzymes.

Proton pump (Lysosomal)

A mechanism that allows the lysosome to maintain a high concentration of H+, contributing to its high acidity necessary for enzyme function.

Endocytosis

The process by which lysosomes uptake biological polymers into the cell.

Animal Cell Lysosomes

Membrane-bound organelles specific to animal cells that break down macromolecules using their highly acidic interior.

Plant Cell Central Vacuoles

Organelles in plant cells that perform functions similar to lysosomes, breaking down macromolecules and recycling cellular components.

Nucleus (Lysosome Interconnection)

Encodes the genes necessary for the production of lysosomal enzymes.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) (Lysosome Interconnection)

Synthesizes the lysosomal enzymes that are used.

Golgi Apparatus (Lysosome Interconnection)

Modifies and sorts lysosomal enzymes to deliver them to the lysosome.

Mitochondria (Lysosome Interconnection)

Lysosomes recycle old or damaged mitochondria in a process known as autophagy or mitophagy.

Plasma Membrane (Lysosome Interconnection)

Fuses with lysosomes to release contents out of the cell in a process called Exocytosis.

Autophagy

A cellular process where lysosomes are in charge of the controlled removal of dysfunctional components within the cell (self-devouring).

Phagocytosis

A process where lysosomes degrade foreign substances brought into the cell through endocytosis.

Neurodegenerative diseases

Diseases that can result when lysosomes malfunction, leading to a toxic buildup of waste and damaged proteins, as seen in conditions like Alzheimer's.

Mitophagy

A specialized type of autophagy where lysosomes recycle old or damaged mitochondria.

Exocytosis

The process by which lysosomes fuse with the plasma membrane to release their digested contents outside the cell.

Suicide bags

A nickname given to lysosomes, based on early studies that mistakenly thought their sole function was to kill the cell when their membranes ruptured.