Peroxisome facts for kids
Peroxisomes are tiny parts inside cells that are like small, enclosed factories. They are found in eukaryotic cells, which are the cells that make up plants, animals, fungi, and us! Peroxisomes have a special membrane around them, like a protective wall. They help the cell do many important jobs, often using oxygen in their work.
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What Are Peroxisomes?
Peroxisomes are a type of organelle. An organelle is like a tiny organ within a cell, each with its own specific job. Think of a cell as a miniature city, and organelles are its buildings and factories. Peroxisomes are very small, usually about 0.1 to 1 micrometer in size. You would need a powerful microscope to see them!
Where Are Peroxisomes Found?
You can find peroxisomes in almost all eukaryotic cells. This means they are in the cells of:
- Animals (including humans!)
- Plants
- Fungi
- Protists (tiny living things like amoebas)
They are especially common in cells that do a lot of chemical processing, like liver cells in animals or cells in plant seeds.
What Do Peroxisomes Do?
Peroxisomes have several key roles that help cells stay healthy and work properly. They are involved in many different chemical reactions.
Breaking Down Fats
One of the main jobs of peroxisomes is to break down fatty acids. Fatty acids are like the building blocks of fats. When your body needs energy, peroxisomes help break these fats into smaller pieces. These smaller pieces can then be used by other parts of the cell, like the mitochondria, to create energy. This process is very important for your body to get fuel.
Cleaning Up Waste
Peroxisomes also act like a clean-up crew for the cell. They help to break down and remove certain waste products and harmful chemicals. For example, they can break down substances that might be toxic if they build up in the cell. This detoxification process keeps the cell safe and healthy.
Making and Breaking Hydrogen Peroxide
A very special thing about peroxisomes is their name! It comes from "peroxide." During some of their chemical reactions, peroxisomes produce a substance called hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can be harmful to cells if there's too much of it.
But don't worry! Peroxisomes are also equipped to handle this. They contain an enzyme called catalase. Catalase quickly breaks down hydrogen peroxide into harmless water and oxygen. This means peroxisomes create a potentially dangerous substance but then immediately neutralize it, protecting the cell.
Other Important Jobs
Peroxisomes are also involved in:
- Making certain types of lipids (fats) that are important for cell membranes and other cell parts.
- Helping plants convert stored fats into sugars, which is crucial for seeds to grow into new plants.
How Were Peroxisomes Discovered?
Peroxisomes were first officially described in 1967 by a scientist named Christian de Duve. He was a Belgian cytologist and biochemist. He used a special technique called cell fractionation. This technique allowed him to separate different parts of the cell and study them individually. De Duve also discovered lysosomes, another important organelle. His work helped us understand more about the amazing complexity inside our cells.
Images for kids
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Peroxisome in a rat heart cell, seen through a microscope.
See also
In Spanish: Peroxisoma para niños
