|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
peroxisome
peroxisome A small organelle (a type of microbody) that is bounded by a single membrane and found in plant and animal cells. It contains enzymes that are involved in oxidation processes, some of which generate the highly toxic compound hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Hence, peroxisomes are equipped with catalase, an enzyme that breaks down H2O2 into water and oxygen. Peroxisomes are the main site of fatty-acid oxidation in plant cells and also play a significant role in this regard in animal cells. They are responsible for neutralizing toxins absorbed from the blood, especially in cells of the liver parenchyma and proximal convoluted tubule of the kidney. In plants, peroxisomes detoxify certain by-products of photosynthesis and oxidize glycolate (produced by photorespiration) to glyoxylate, which can then be salvaged by a series of reactions involving mitochondria and chloroplasts as well as peroxisomes.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"peroxisome." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "peroxisome." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-peroxisome.html "peroxisome." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-peroxisome.html |
|
peroxisome
peroxisome A round or oval, membrane-bound organelle, 0.3–1.5 μm in diameter, that is found in numbers in most eukaryotic cells. Typically, it has a finely granular, relatively dense internal structure, and contains numerous enzymes associated with the production and degradation of peroxides, in particular the enzyme catalase. See also GLYOXYSOME.
|
|
|
Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "peroxisome." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "peroxisome." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-peroxisome.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "peroxisome." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-peroxisome.html |
|
peroxisome
peroxisome A round or oval, membrane-bound organelle, 0.3–1.5 μm in diameter, found in numbers in most eukaryotic cells. Typically, it has a finely granular, relatively dense internal structure, and contains numerous enzymes (particularly catalase) associated with the production and degradation of peroxides. See also GLYOXYSOME.
|
|
|
Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "peroxisome." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "peroxisome." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-peroxisome.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "peroxisome." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-peroxisome.html |
|