Question
Question: Name the cleansing organelle in the cell....
Name the cleansing organelle in the cell.
Solution
A cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life. The cell contains many organelles like nucleus, mitochondria, Golgi body, lysosome, vacuole, etc. Each of these organelles in the cell have their own important functions. All these organelles coordinate together to perform the basic functions of the cell.
The lysosome is the cleansing organ of the cell.
Complete answer:
The lysosomes are single membrane bound small organelles in the cell that are filled with lytic enzymes. These enzymes are capable of breaking down and digesting molecules like carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
They digest the metabolic wastes created within the cell and eliminate them off later by exocytosis process.
Exocytosis is the excretion of solute particles and water from the cell with the help of vesicles.
Now lysosome is a ‘polymorphic’ organelle. It is of various types:
Primary lysosome: 1. This lysosome contains inactivated enzymes.
2. Formed at the trans face.
Secondary Lysosome: 1. Heteropolysomes; also called digestive vacuoles.
2. Secondary lysosomes are formed when phagosomes fuse with already existing primary lysosomes.
Residual Bodies: 1. Secondary lysosomes + undigested particles.
2. Take part in exocytosis.
Autophagic vacuoles: These are suicidal bags of the cells. They digest up the other organelles in case they malfunction, or in case of cellular apoptosis.
The disappearance of larval organs during metamorphosis is due to autolysis.
Note:
The lysosome is thus the digestive organelle of the cell that eliminates the metabolic wastes accumulated in the cell. It also destroys those organelles that malfunction and is also responsible for cellular death (apoptosis).