peroxisome

American  

[puh-rok-suh-sohm] / pəˈrɒk səˌsoʊm /

noun

Cell Biology.

1. a cell organelle containing catalase, peroxidase, and other oxidative enzymes and performing essential metabolic functions, as the decomposition of fatty acids and hydrogen peroxide.

---

peroxisome British  

/ pəˈrɒksɪˌsəʊm /

noun

1. a type of organelle present in most eukaryotic cells that carry out oxidative reactions, such as oxidation of alcohol in the liver

---

peroxisome Scientific  

/ pə-rŏk′sĭ-sōm′ /

1. A cell organelle containing enzymes that catalyze the production and breakdown of hydrogen peroxide.

---

Other Word Forms

• peroxisomal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of peroxisome

First recorded in 1965–70; perox(ide) + -some ³

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

peroxisome

"The peroxisome gets even larger during the seed to seedling stage, when the plant is relying on fatty acids for energy, before shrinking back down to its normal size once the plant can photosynthesize."

From Science Daily ● Apr. 25, 2026

To break down these fatty acids, plant cells use a specialized structure known as the peroxisome, a membrane-bound compartment also found in human cells.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 25, 2026

These mutant cells also lacked vesicles, small membrane-bound compartments that typically form inside the peroxisome during fatty acid processing.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 25, 2026

"The atomic structures and an understanding of the mechanism of this complex nanomachine now enable us to understand important steps in peroxisome physiology in health and disease," says Gatsogiannis in conclusion.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 27, 2023

Defense mechanisms such as detoxification within the peroxisome and certain cellular antioxidants serve to neutralize many of these molecules.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013