Ratha Grimes wrote:
>
> On Wed, 28 Oct 1998, EVW Rotunno wrote:
>
> > Cells have small strutures called lysosomes, which
> > contain hydrolytic enzymes that digest the
> > proteins, carbohydrates and lipids in the cell
> > when the cell is injured.
>
> This is a little off topic, but why is this helpful
> within a live organism?
>
> Does this mean that when a cell is injured, instead of
> being repaired it is deconstructed and its components
> recycled?

Yes. If a cell is irreparable, it is autolyzed, i.e. it's components are
digested by these enzymes, and new cells form. Millions of new cells are
formed daily in the process of detoxification. Lysosomes are sometimes
called "suicide bags." In the case of neurons, which are all formed at
birth, new cells are not generally formed, so these cells must repair
portions of the cytoplasm, and the enzymes in lysosomes do the job.

My best, Ellie