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LYSOSOME
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Function: A lysosome is a membrane bag containing digestive enzymes. Lysosomes are formed when the Golgi complex packages up an especially large vesicle of digestive enzyme proteins. Lysosomes digest waste materials and food within the cell. They break down molecules into their rudimentary components by using strong digestive enzymes. Lysosomes are sometimes called "suicide bags". When a cell needs to digest food, the lysosome membrane fuses with the membrane of a food vacuole and squirts the digestive enzymes inside and digest the food. The digested food can then diffuse through the vacuole membrane and enter the cell to be used for energy or growth. The only thing that keeps the cell itself from being digested is the membrane surrounding the lysosome.
Related Organelles: Golgi complex |
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