What is "peroxisome"

n. (context cytology English) An intracellular organelle found in all eukaryotes (except Archezoa) which is the source of the enzymes that catalyze the production and breakdown hydrogen peroxide, and are responsible for the oxidation of long-chain fatty acids.

Peroxisomes (also called microbodies) are organelles found in virtually all eukaryotic cells. They are involved in catabolism of very long chain fatty acids, branched chain fatty acids, D-amino acids, and polyamines, reduction of reactive oxygen species – specifically hydrogen peroxide – and biosynthesis of plasmalogens, i.e. ether phospholipids critical for the normal function of mammalian brains and lungs. They also contain approximately 10% of the total activity of two enzymes in the pentose phosphate pathway, which is important for energy metabolism. It is vigorously debated if peroxisomes are involved in isoprenoid and cholesterol synthesis in animals. Other known peroxisomal functions include the glyoxylate cycle in germinating seeds (" glyoxysomes"), photorespiration in leaves, glycolysis in trypanosomes (" glycosomes"), and methanol and/or amine oxidation and assimilation in some yeasts.