Lysosome – Structure and Function

Flashcards covering key concepts about lysosomes, their structure, function, and related disorders.

Lysosome

Small, spherical, membrane-enclosed organelles found in all eukaryotic cells, known as 'suicidal bags' of the cell.

Lysosomal enzymes

Contain acid hydrolases that work best at pH ≈ 5.0, remaining inactive in the neutral cytoplasm.

Heterophagy

lysosomes digest materials from outside the cell via endocytosis or phagocytosis.

Autophagy

lysosomes destroying old or damaged organelles within the cell by forming autophagosomes.

Endocytosis

A type of uptake of molecules into cells; can be receptor-mediated or involve phagocytosis.

Phagocytosis

The engulfment of large particles by cells, such as white blood cells consuming pathogens.

Recycling

function of breaking down macromolecules to reuse building blocks like amino acids and sugars.

Clathrin-coated vesicles

transport molecules during the process of endocytosis.

Lysosomal Storage Disorders

defects in lysosomal enzymes leading to the accumulation of undegraded substrates.

Tay-Sachs Disease

caused by hexosaminidase A deficiency, resulting in GM2 ganglioside accumulation in neurons.

Fabry Disease

caused by α-galactosidase A deficiency, characterized by skin rash and kidney/cardiac issues.

Gaucher Disease

caused by β-glucocerebrosidase deficiency, featuring 'crumbled tissue paper' macrophages.

Niemann-Pick Disease

caused by sphingomyelinase deficiency, leading to lipid accumulation and neurologic decline.