Peroxisomes

Question 1

What is the structure and function of peroxisomes?

Answer 1

• in all eukaryotic cells
• oxygen utilization for detoxification and fatty acid breakdown
• one membrane
• no plasmids nor ribosomes, all proteins have to be imported
• import receptor proteins peroxins, ATPase driven
• proteins destined for peroxisomes carry a specific signaling sequence
• oxidative enzymes (catalase and urate oxidase)
• fission
• very adaptive to altering conditions

O2 and H2O2 to perform oxidative reactions

Molecular Oxygen to remove H from specific organic substrates in an oxidative reaction that produces hydrogen peroxide which is used for oxidation of substarets. Catalase utilizes the H2O2 to oxidize phenols, formic acid, formaldehyde, and alcohol.