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Lysosome

Meaning

The Lysosome is a membrane-bound organelle found within the cytoplasm of most eukaryotic cells, serving as the cell’s primary digestive and recycling center. These organelles contain a diverse array of hydrolytic enzymes capable of breaking down cellular waste products, foreign invaders, and macromolecules, including internalized hormones and their receptors. The lysosome’s function is critical for maintaining cellular homeostasis, particularly in endocrine cells where it is responsible for the controlled degradation of hormone-receptor complexes following endocytosis. Dysfunctional lysosomes are implicated in various storage disorders and neurodegenerative conditions.