lysosome

American  

[lahy-suh-sohm] / ˈlaɪ səˌsoʊm /

noun

Cell Biology.

1. a cell organelle containing enzymes that digest particles and that disintegrate the cell after its death.

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lysosome British  

/ ˈlaɪsəˌsəʊm /

noun

1. any of numerous small particles, containing digestive enzymes, that are present in the cytoplasm of most cells

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lysosome Scientific  

/ lī′sə-sōm′ /

1. A cell organelle that is surrounded by a membrane, has an acidic interior, and contains hydrolytic enzymes that break down food molecules, especially proteins and other complex molecules. Lysosomes fuse with vacuoles to digest their contents. The digested material is then transported across the organelle's membrane for use in or transport out of the cell.

2. See more at cell

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Other Word Forms

• lysosomal adjective

Etymology

Origin of lysosome

First recorded in 1950–55; lyso- + -some ³

Example Sentences

The results showed a significant reduction in the activity of genes linked to lysosome function.

From Science Daily • Nov. 7, 2025

More importantly, they demonstrated that stimulating lysosome activity can restore this cellular "cleanup" function, helping remove progerin and reducing signs of cell aging.

From Science Daily • Nov. 7, 2025

Another key protein, progranulin, regulates cell growth and a part of the cell called the lysosome that breaks down cellular waste products.

From Salon • Feb. 26, 2023

The food vesicle fuses with a lysosome, which digests the food.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The vesicle fuses with a lysosome, and proteins inside the lysosome digest the food particle.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015