What is the Difference Between Lysosomes and Peroxisomes?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Lysosomes and peroxisomes are both membrane-bound organelles found in eukaryotic cells, but they have distinct functions and compositions:
Lysosomes:
- Larger than peroxisomes, with a size of about 0.5-1.5 µm.
- Contain over 50 different enzymes, including lipases, nucleases, and polysaccharidases.
- The pH within lysosomes is about pH 5.
- Involved in endocytosis, autophagy, and phagocytosis.
- Found in animals.
- Responsible for breaking down and recycling cellular waste and foreign material.
Peroxisomes:
- Comparatively smaller than lysosomes, with a size of about 0.5-1.5 µm.
- Enzymes in peroxisomes are oxidases that catalyze redox reactions.
- Found in eukaryotes.
- Involved in the biosynthesis of lipids and photorespiration.
- Protect cells by isolating and breaking down harmful hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.
In summary, lysosomes are responsible for breaking down and recycling cellular waste and foreign material through processes like autophagy and phagocytosis, while peroxisomes protect cells by breaking down harmful hydrogen peroxide into non-toxic molecules like water and oxygen.
Comparative Table: Lysosomes vs Peroxisomes
Lysosomes and peroxisomes are both enzyme-containing organelles found in eukaryotic cells, but they have distinct characteristics and functions. Here is a table highlighting the differences between them:
Feature | Lysosomes | Peroxisomes |
---|---|---|
Size | Large, about 0.5–1.5 µm in diameter | Small, about 0.1–1.0 µm in diameter |
Origin | Manufactured by the Golgi apparatus | Bud off from the endoplasmic reticulum |
Enzymes | Contain over 50 lipases, nucleases, and polysaccharidases | Contain oxidative enzymes, such as those breaking down metabolic hydrogen peroxides |
pH | Acidic, around pH 5 | Neutral or slightly alkaline |
Functions | Act as the cell's waste disposal system, involved in degradation, secretion, cell signaling, plasma membrane repair, and energy metabolism | Break down oxyradicals and play a role in the oxidation of organic compounds, lipid breakdown, biogenic amine synthesis, and storage of ions such as Fe²⁺ and Ca²⁺ |
Distribution | Found only in animals | Found in all eukaryotes |
Lysosomes and peroxisomes share some similarities, such as being enclosed by a single membrane and containing enzymes. However, they differ in size, origin, type of enzymes, pH, and functions.
- Glyoxysomes vs Peroxisomes
- Lysozyme vs Lysosome
- Lysosome vs Vacuole
- Endosome vs Lysosome
- Lysosomes vs Ribosomes
- Primary vs Secondary Lysosomes
- Catalase vs Peroxidase
- Phagolysosome vs Phagosome
- Mitochondria vs Chloroplast
- Mitochondria vs Plastids
- Oxidases vs Oxygenases
- Lyases vs Transferases
- Cytoplasm vs Cytosol
- Phytosomes vs Liposomes
- Peracetic Acid vs Hydrogen Peroxide
- Golgi Bodies vs Mitochondria
- Peroxide vs Hydrogen Peroxide
- Cytosolic vs Chloroplastic Glycolysis
- Chemiosmosis in Mitochondria vs Chloroplast