Why are peroxisomes important in cells?

1 Answer
Sep 20, 2014

Let's first discuss what they are. Peroxisomes are organelles in the cell that are membrane bound and contain enzymes crucial for metabolic activity.

Peroxisomes are important because they are:

  • involved in lipid production
  • involved in oxidation reactions in the cell
  • providing metabolic energy

In plants:

  • (In the seed) converts fatty acids to carbohydrates
  • photorespiration

Of course this is just a general overview of peroxisomes and there is great depth you could delve into!

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/peroxisomes/images/peroxisomesfigure1.jpg