Lysosomes

[The lysosome is a membrane bound structure that contains hydrolytic enzymes for digesting macromolecules.]

The lysosome is a membranous bag which contains hydrolytic enzymes that are used to digest macromolecules. The lysosome contains over 40 enzymes, some of which are the proteases, nucleases, and phopholipases. These enzymes optimally work at a pH of 5 (acidic), so should these enzymes leak out they would cause minimal damage to the cytoplasm. These enzymes, called hydrolases, are made in the ER and transported to the lysosome by the Golgi complex, using a vesicle.

Should certain hydrolases be missing from the cells, serious illness can occur because of a buildup of molecules which cannot be digested by the lysosome. These extra molecules can interfere with normal cell functions, causing problems.