Peroxisomes are tiny structures inside our cells that help keep them healthy by getting rid of waste materials. They are especially important for breaking down harmful substances like hydrogen peroxide and fatty acids.

Important Jobs of Peroxisomes:

1. Breaking Down Hydrogen Peroxide:

   • Peroxisomes have a special protein called catalase.
   • This protein quickly changes the dangerous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) into safe water (H₂O) and oxygen gas (O₂).
   • Here’s how it works:
     • Two hydrogen peroxide molecules become two water molecules and one oxygen molecule.
   • This is really important because hydrogen peroxide can build up in our bodies, especially in the liver, where certain chemical reactions happen.

2. Processing Fatty Acids:

   • Peroxisomes help break down long-chain fatty acids into shorter ones.
   • These shorter fatty acids can then be used by mitochondria, which are another part of the cell that produces energy.
   • About 30% of fatty acids in our bodies are processed in peroxisomes first.

3. Making Lipids:

   • Peroxisomes create a type of fat called plasmalogens.
   • These fats are really important for forming myelin, the protective covering around nerve cells.
   • They make up about 20% of the fats found in the human brain.

4. Managing Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS):

   • Peroxisomes help control harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species.
   • By breaking these down, peroxisomes help keep our cells stable and prevent conditions like cancer and diseases that affect the brain.

Some Interesting Facts:

• Research shows that when peroxisomes don’t function properly, it can lead to more than 30 different disorders related to fat processing or breaking down reactive oxygen species.
• In healthy human cells, peroxisomes are able to break down about 500 micromoles of hydrogen peroxide for every gram of tissue each hour.

In short, peroxisomes are like guardians for our cells. They get rid of toxic substances and help process fatty acids, which is super important for keeping our cells healthy and working well.