These structures were first described from liver and kidney cells by Rodhin(1954)
In plant cells, they were first observed in germinating seeds by Tolbert(1969)
The term ‘peroxysomes’ was first used by de Duve and also called as uricosomes.
Peroxysomes are ovoid or granular structures, limited by a single unit membrane and have a diameter of 0.1 to 1mm.
In green leaves of C3 plants, peroxysomes carry out photorespiration.
In animal cells they carry out lipid metabolism.
They contain important enzymes as oxidases (peroxide producing enzyme), peroxidases and catalases (which break down toxic peroxides to water and oxygen).
