lysosome

/ˌlaɪsəˈsoʊm/

Other forms: lysosomes

In biology, a lysosome is an organelle that contains digestive enzymes and is wrapped in a membrane. Lysosomes act as a sort of digestive system for cells.

The job of a lysosome is to get rid of cell parts that are old or unneeded — basically, to break down and clear away any waste products. If the cell itself is too damaged to function properly, a lysosome can also help to break down the entire cell, a process called "programmed cell death." The word lysosome was coined in 1955, from roots meaning "loosening" and "the body," to give a sense of their digestive properties.

Definitions of lysosome

1. noun

   an organelle found in the cytoplasm of most cells (especially in leukocytes and liver and kidney cells)
   type of:

   cell organ, cell organelle, organelle

   a specialized part of a cell; analogous to an organ