Question

What are the morphological, chemical and functional similarities and differences between lysosomes and peroxisomes?

Answer 1

Similarities: lysosomes and peroxisomes are miniature membranous vesicles which have enzymes and encircle residual substances from internal or external origin in order to degrade them. Differences: lysosomes contain digestive enzymes called hydrolases, which break substances which are to be digested into small molecules; peroxisomes have enzymes which degrade mostly long-chained fatty acids, amino acids as well as inactivate toxic agents which include ethanol; inside peroxisomes there is the enzyme catalase which is responsible for the oxidation of organic compounds with the help of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and, whilst this substance is in surplus, by the degradation of the peroxide into water and molecular oxygen.