Lysosomes By Amanda Paduch

Purposes of Lysosomes Are digestive vesicles that arise from the Golgi apparatus Contain high levels of degrading enzymes Enzymes are used as catalysts for the degradation of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates Also break down old organelles to make room for new ones and eliminate other cells

Lysosome Activation Best time for activation is when there is an acidic pH Lysosomes are activated by fusing with a food vesicle, or an old organelle Fusing causes a lower internal pH in the lysosome, because it activates a proton pump, and this change causes the enzymes to be activated.

Structure

Lysosome Journey

Tay-Sachs Disease Caused by the loss of the lysosomal enzyme hexosaminidase. This enzyme breaks down a membrane glycolipid which is located in nerve cells The absence of this enzyme causes many problems such as seizures and muscle rigidity

Other Diseases There are many other genetic lysosome storage disorders; 50 are known One well known one is hunter syndrome, which is when there is an absence of iduronate sulfate This is needed to break down complex sugars and its absence causes growth delays, which causes varying abnormalities, and sometimes intelligence impairments.

Other Diseases Another common disease is Fabry disease This disease is caused by the lack of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase This enzyme breaks down the fatty substance globotriaosylciramide The absence of this enzyme has many symptoms, some are hearing trouble or loss, episodes of pain, and gastrointestinal problems

Work Cited syndrome physicians/lysosomal-storage-disorders.php Kenneth A. Mason, Losos Jonathan B., Singer Susan R.,. “Biology.” 10 th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, Print.