“Lysosomes are sphere-shaped sacs filled with hydrolytic enzymes that have the capability to break down many types of biomolecules.”
Lysosome Structure
Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles and the area within the membrane is called the lumen, which contains the hydrolytic enzymes and other cellular debris.
The diagram below shows the lysosome structure within a cell.
The pH level of the lumen lies between 4.5 and 5.0, which makes it quite acidic. It is almost comparable to the function of acids found in the stomach.
Besides breaking down biological polymers, lysosomes are also involved in various other cell processes such as counting discharged materials, energy metabolism, cell signalling, and restoration of the plasma membrane.
The sizes of lysosomes vary, with the largest ones measuring in more at than 1.2 μm. But they typically range from 0.1 μm to 0.6 μm.
