Question

Why are lysosomes called digestive bags or suicidal bags?

Answer 1

Lysosomes:

1. Lysosomes are sphere-shaped sacs filled with hydrolytic enzymes that have the capability to break down many types of biomolecules.
2. Lysosomes are known as suicide bags of the cell because they contain lytic enzymes capable of digesting cells and unwanted materials via autolysis and burst open when the cell is damaged.
3. This causes the hydrolytic enzymes to be released.
4. The released enzymes then digest their own cell, causing the cell to die.
5. As a result, they’re known as cell suicide bags.

Functions of Lysosomes:

1. The main task of lysosomes is digestion and waste removal. Cellular debris or foreign particles are pulled into the cell via the endocytosis process.
2. The endocytosis cycle happens when the cell membrane falls on itself, forming a vacuole or pouch around the external contents and then bringing those contents into the cell.
3. When lysosomes burst, the lytic enzymes within the organelle spill all over the cell, rupturing the cell membrane or cell wall and inducing the death of the cell.
4. The main function of lysosomes is to break down and recycle cellular debris, discarded cellular contents, and foreign pathogens, however, the digestive enzymes may end up bursting from the lysosome, damaging the cell themselves, and this can cause the cell to die.