lysosome
/ˈlaɪsəˌsoʊm/
noun
- A small structure inside a cell that contains enzymes to break down waste, old cell parts, and foreign invaders.
- Damage to lysosomes can lead to diseases where waste builds up inside cells.
- When a cell engulfs a bacterium, a lysosome fuses with the vesicle to destroy it.
- The lysosome acts like the cell's recycling center, breaking down worn-out components.
Synonyms