Meaning & use

lysosome

noun·Advanced

A small structure within a cell that contains enzymes to break down waste and unwanted material.

See it in a sentence

Lysosomes digest worn-out cell parts and recycle their components for reuse.

The biology textbook described how lysosomes destroy invading bacteria within white blood cells.

A note on using this word

Lysosomes are sometimes called the cell's 'digestive system' because of their role in breaking down materials.

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