1. A small membrane-bound organelle found in eukaryotic cells that contains enzymes involved in breaking down fatty acids and detoxifying harmful substances.
Usage: biology; cell biology

Examples

• Peroxisomes play a crucial role in cellular metabolism by breaking down fatty acids through beta-oxidation.
• The enzyme catalase, found in peroxisomes, helps neutralize hydrogen peroxide, a toxic byproduct of cellular respiration.
• Liver cells contain numerous peroxisomes to help detoxify harmful substances.
• Peroxisomes are named for their involvement in hydrogen peroxide metabolism.
• Defects in peroxisome function can lead to serious genetic disorders in humans.