Question

What is the function of peroxisomes?

Answer 1

Peroxisomes:

1. Peroxisomes are small organelles that contain a variety of enzymes that deal with many metabolic reactions.
2. They have a lipid bilayer membrane that controls what enters and exists them.
3. Peroxisomes are responsible for the oxidation that occur inside a cell.
4. An example is the oxidation of fatty acids which creates metabolic energy in plants and animals.

The functions of peroxisomes are:

1. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a poison, but the peroxisome has an enzyme that converts H₂O₂ to water.
2. Some peroxisomes break fatty acids down into smaller molecules that are transported to mitochondria for fuel.
3. They detoxify alcohol and other harmful compounds.
4. Thus, it exists extensively in the liver cells.
5. It works in leaves on photorespiration to metabolize a sliding product of photosynthesis.
6. They initiate the production of phospholipids, which are typically used in the formation of membranes.