Question

Why lysosomes known as polymorphic cell organelles

Answer 1

lysosomes are called polymorphic because they show many forms .1)primary lysosomes
2)secondary lysosomes
3)residual lysosomes
4)autophagic lysosomes

Answer 2

Polymorphic refers to many forms of a particular trait/entity/genetic variant. Lysosomes can exist in a cell in more than one form. Hence they are known as polymorphic cellular organelles.  

They typically exist as:

i) Primary lysosomes - newly formed lysosomal vesicles from the Golgi. They contain ‘hydrolytic enzymes’.

ii) Secondary lysosomes or heterophagosomes - formed by fusion of primary lysosomes with phagosomes or pinosomes. They contain active enzymes for specific substrate digestion.

iii) Tertiary lysosomes or residual bodies - incompletely digested materials are found within the large, irregularly shaped residual bodies.

iv) Lysosomes or autophagic vacuoles or autophaghagosomes - when primary lysosomes form around dead intracellular organelles and digest them.