Lysosomes

Lysosomes

Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles that cut or digest molecules found in a cell. The function of lysosomes can be breaking down into two processes autophagy and crinophagy. Autophagy means self-eating, and it's when lysosomes digest molecules that are part of the cell itself, or other cells. If there are organelles that are no longer functional, these will be digested by lysosomes. A good example of autophagy would be the macrophages of the immune system. Macrophages function its to engulf bacteria and viruses and then be transferred to the lysosomes to digest. Crinophagy is when the lysosomes digest excess secretory products. An example of crinopahgy will be if a cell is producing too much of a hormone, lysosome will break down the extra hormone that it's being produced. In both autophagy and crinophagy, after the lysosomes complete the breakdown of molecules. It will release the molecules into the cytoplasm for reused.