Why Are Lysosomes Called Suicidal Bags?: Lysosomes are extremely small organelles inside animal cells. These, although small, are helpful in maintaining the cell clean and healthy. Scientists refer to lysosomes as suicidal bags since they are capable of breaking or even destroying various cell components when they are required. However, why should any cell part want to kill itself?
In this blog we will discuss the nature of lysosomes, their functioning and why they have acquired the epithet of being suicidal bags. We will state all in simple understandable words and bring some real-life examples with which students and novices can grasp this topic with ease.
What Are Lysosomes?
Lysosomes are small round bodies that are present in the cytoplasm of animal cells. These have special chemicals referred to as enzymes. These enzymes are very potent and can degrade numerous things, such as proteins, fats and sugars. They are capable even of breaking down old or impaired structures of the cell.
The Golgi apparatus is another cell organelle that forms the lysosomes, providing assistance in the packaging and processing of things.
Structure of Lysosomes
The lysosome is like a tiny bag filled with enzymes. Let’s break down its parts:
| Part of Lysosome | Function |
| Membrane | Protects the cell from the powerful enzymes inside |
| Digestive Enzymes | Break down unwanted or harmful substances |
| Acidic Interior (pH ~5) | Helps the enzymes to work properly |
The membrane acts like a protective wall. It keeps the enzymes locked inside so they don’t harm the healthy parts of the cell. But when needed, the enzymes are released.
Functions of Lysosomes
Lysosomes perform many important functions to keep the cell clean and healthy. Here are some of the main jobs they do:
1. Breaking Down Wastes
Lysosomes break down waste materials that the cell doesn’t need anymore. These can be:
- Damaged cell parts
- Dead organelles
- Leftover food particles
2. Killing Germs
When germs like bacteria enter the cell, lysosomes attack and destroy them.
3. Recycling Materials
Sometimes, lysosomes break down old parts of the cell and reuse the useful bits. This is known as autophagy (self-eating).
4. Helping in Cell Death
If a cell is badly damaged or sick, lysosomes can help the cell die in a clean and controlled way. This is called programmed cell death or apoptosis.
Why Are They Called “Suicidal Bags”?
The term “suicidal bags” may sound scary, but it actually explains the smart way lysosomes work. Here’s why they are called that:
1. They Are Able To Destroy Their Own Cell
The lysosomes may rupture in case the cell is infected or seriously damaged or does not work as it should. When this occurs, all the high-powered enzymes go free in the cell. These enzymes begin to digest all the contents within the cell—this dries out the cell. That is why the scientists argue that the lysosome makes the cell commit suicide.
2. Helpful Self-Destruction
This self-destruction is not something negative. As a matter of fact, it benefits in safeguarding the body. It prevents destruction of other cells by spreading problems from the damaged or infected cells.
3. Regulation of Cell Tissue Population
Lysosomes are used during development (i.e. to eliminate superfluous or unneeded cells in the formation of fingers and toes in an infant). This makes the body develop in shape.
Examples of Lysosome Actions
Let’s understand this with a few examples:
Example 1: Infection in a Cell
Consider a bacterium that is harmful and enters the animal cell. Lysosome will fuse with the component of the cell where the bacterium was entrapped. It then secretes its enzymes and eats the germ. In case the infection is severe, there is a possibility of the lysosome killing the entire cell to prevent spreading the germ.
Example 2: Old Mitochondria
The makers of energy in the cell are mitochondria. However, they wear out or get broken with time. These old mitochondria are destroyed by the lysosomes and the components are reutilized to make new ones.
Example 3: Fingers on babies Webs
Fingers are sometimes fused together when the baby is in her mother womb. The Lysosomes assist in dissolving the excess cells in between the fingers and mold normal fingers.
Process of Cell Suicide—Apoptosis
Let’s look deeper into the cell suicide process controlled by lysosomes.
What is Apoptosis?
Apoptosis is a natural and controlled process where cells kill themselves for the good of the body. It is not harmful, like cell death from injury. Instead, it is planned and helpful.
Role of Lysosomes in Apoptosis
- Activation of Signals: The cell receives a signal (because of DNA damage, infection, or otherwise) to die.
- Activation of Lysosomes: The lysosomes rupture and the enzymes are sent out.
- Working of the enzymes: These enzymes break down the internal components of the cell.
- Cell Degeneration: The cells degenerate and are eliminated through the other cells.
- This is an extremely vital process in development, growth and health.
Diseases Related to Lysosomes
Even though lysosomes help clean the cell, if they stop working properly, they can cause diseases. These are called Lysosomal Storage Diseases. Here are a few:
| Disease Name | Cause | Effect |
| Tay-Sachs Disease | Lack of enzyme to break down fatty acid | Brain damage, nerve problems |
| Gaucher’s Disease | Enzyme missing to break down fat | Liver and spleen enlargement, bone pain |
| Pompe Disease | Enzyme missing to break down glycogen | Heart and muscle weakness |
These diseases show how important lysosomes are for health.
Differences Between Lysosome and Other Organelles
Let’s see how lysosomes are different from other parts of the cell:
| Feature | Lysosome | Mitochondria | Ribosome |
| Main Function | Digestion and waste removal | Energy production (ATP) | Protein making |
| Enzymes | Yes, many digestive enzymes | Yes, but for energy processes | No enzymes, just RNA and proteins. |
| Membrane | Single membrane | Double membrane | No membrane |
| Can Cause Cell Death | Yes | No | No |
Discovery of Lysosomes
Lysosomes were discovered by a scientist named Christian de Duve in the 1950s. He found small sacs with powerful enzymes in liver cells. For his work, he received the Nobel Prize in 1974.
Fun Facts About Lysosomes
These are some cool and fast facts to keep in mind:
- The lysosomes exist in animal cells but not in plants.
- They have the ability to degrade nearly all biological substances.
- The term Lysosome derives from the Greek lysis,= meaning break down and soma,= meaning body.
- Lysosomes have the ability to degrade the food, bacteria, malfunctioning organelles and even the entire cell.
- Referring to lysosomes, sometimes the scientists will talk about the cleaning crew of the cell.
Importance of Lysosomes in the Human Body
Lysosomes may be small, but their job is massive. Here’s why they are so important:
Protection from Infection
They destroy germs and stop the spread of infection.
Proper Cell Functioning
They remove junk and keep the cell healthy and working.
Cell Renewal
They recycle materials from old cell parts, saving energy and resources.
Safe Cell Death
They help get rid of damaged or unnecessary cells during growth or disease.
Recap: Why Are Lysosomes Called Suicidal Bags?
Let’s quickly go over what we’ve learned:
- Lysosomes contain powerful enzymes that can break down the cell from the inside.
- When a cell is damaged or infected, lysosomes release these enzymes and cause the cell to die.
- This process is controlled and helps in protecting the body.
- Because they can destroy their own cell when needed, they are called “suicidal bags.”
- Though they can cause cell death, this action is helpful and important for the body.
Conclusion
One of the most interesting cell parts is lysosomes. They are small cleaning gadgets that can act as destroyers when the need arises. Although this power to kill the cell has prompted their being called suicidal bags, this capability is not harmful; on the contrary it is beneficial and essential.
We would be filled with junk in our cells and infections will spread easily without lysosomes. These microscopic-sized packets of enzymes assist to shield, decontaminate, and regulate the cell life cycle. They actually form one of the most significant elements of the cell world.
FAQs
Q1. What is the main job of lysosomes in a cell?
Lysosomes break down waste, kill germs, and recycle old parts of the cell to keep it healthy.
Q2. Why are lysosomes called suicidal bags?
They are called suicidal bags because they can burst and release enzymes that destroy the entire cell when needed.
Q3. Are lysosomes found in plant cells?
No, lysosomes are mainly found in animal cells. Plant cells have other structures like vacuoles that do similar jobs.
Q4. What happens if lysosomes stop working?
If lysosomes do not work properly, harmful waste builds up in the cell, causing diseases like Tay-Sachs and Gaucher’s.
Q5. Who discovered lysosomes?
Lysosomes were discovered by Christian de Duve in the 1950s, and he received the Nobel Prize for this discovery.
