lysosome

[ lahy-suh-sohm ]
/ ˈlaɪ səˌsoʊm /

noun Cell Biology.

a cell organelle containing enzymes that digest particles and that disintegrate the cell after its death.

Origin of lysosome

First recorded in 1950–55; lyso- + -some3

OTHER WORDS FROM lysosome

ly·so·so·mal, adjective

Words nearby lysosome

lysogenize, lysogeny, lysokinase, lysol, lysosomal disease, lysosome, lysozyme, lyssa, lyssavirus, lyssophobia, lytham saint anne's

British Dictionary definitions for lysosome

lysosome
/ (ˈlaɪsəˌsəʊm) /

noun

any of numerous small particles, containing digestive enzymes, that are present in the cytoplasm of most cells

Derived forms of lysosome

lysosomal, adjective

Medical definitions for lysosome

lysosome
[ lī′sə-sōm′ ]

n.

A membrane-bound organelle in the cytoplasm of most cells containing various hydrolytic enzymes that function in intracellular digestion.

Other words from lysosome

ly′so•so′mal adj.

Scientific definitions for lysosome

lysosome
[ lī′sə-sōm′ ]

A cell organelle that is surrounded by a membrane, has an acidic interior, and contains hydrolytic enzymes that break down food molecules, especially proteins and other complex molecules. Lysosomes fuse with vacuoles to digest their contents. The digested material is then transported across the organelle's membrane for use in or transport out of the cell. See more at cell.