What is a Lysosome?
A lysosome is a structure inside an animal cell which breaks down materials into compounds which can be used or discarded by the cell, as needed. Lysosomes also play other important roles in cell upkeep, ranging from consuming worn-out structures within the cell to attacking foreign bacteria before it has a chance to penetrate the cells. With a powerful microscope, it is possible to see lysosomes within the cell; these structures are typically spherical in shape. These structures are considered to be a form of organelle, meaning that they are a highly specialized structure within a cell. Organelles are responsible for the function of a cell, ensuring that it does what it is supposed to, replicates when it should, and dies off when it is no longer useful. These tiny organisms are quite complex, turning each cell into a microcosm of the human body. When organelles malfunction, the results can be very problematic for the host organism. Each cell contains a multitude of lysosomes, and each
