Peroxisomes- Definition, Structure, Functions and Diagram

Table of Contents

Peroxisomes Definition

Peroxisomes are small, membrane-enclosed cellular organelles containing oxidative enzymes that are involved in a variety of metabolic reactions, including several aspects of energy metabolism.
They are considered as an important type of microbody found in both plants and animal cells.
They were identified as organelles by Belgian cytologist Christian de Duve in 1967 after already been described.
First peroxisomes to be discovered were isolated from leaf homogenate of spinach.
They are most abundantly found in detoxifying organs such as the liver and kidney cells. However, they can be induced to proliferate in response to metabolic needs.

They are membrane-bound spherical bodies of 0.2 to 1.5 μm in diameter found in all eukaryotic organisms including both plants and animal cells.
They are found floating freely in the cytoplasm in close association of ER, mitochondria or chloroplast within the cell.
They are among the simplest of eukaryotic organelles.
They exist either in the form of a network of interconnected tubules called peroxisome reticulum or as individual microperoxisomes.
They are variable in size and shape according to the cell and usually circular in cross-section.
They range from 0.2 -1.5 μm in diameter.
It consists of a single limiting membrane of lipid and protein molecules enclosing the granular matrix.
The matrix consists of fibrils or a crystalloid structure containing enzymes.

Approximately 60 known enzymes are present in the matrix of peroxisomes.
They are responsible to carry out oxidation reactions leading to the production of hydrogen peroxide.
The main groups of enzymes include:

Enzymes present in the peroxisomes both lead to the production and elimination of H₂0₂ which is a reactive oxygen species.

Oxidation of fatty acids, in animal cells, occurs in both peroxisomes and mitochondria, but in yeasts and plants, only limited to peroxisomes.
Oxidation is accompanied by the production of H₂0₂ which is decomposed by catalase enzyme. This provides a major source of metabolic energy.

Synthesis of cholesterol and dolichol occurs in both ER and peroxisomes. Bile acid synthesis takes place from cholesterol in the liver.
Peroxisomes contain enzymes to synthesize plasmalogens, a family of phospholipids which are important membrane components of tissues of the heart and brain.

Peroxisomes in seeds responsible for the conversion of stored fatty acids to carbohydrates, critical to providing energy and raw materials for the growth of germinating plants.

Peroxisomes in leaves particularly in the green ones carry out the photorespiration process along with chloroplasts.

Carry out the catabolism of purines, polyamines and amino acids especially by uric acid oxidase

Luciferase enzyme found in the peroxisomes of fireflies help in bioluminescence and thus aid the flies in finding a mate or its meal.