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Polymorphic Lysosomes
Poly = many, morphic = forms
Exist in different forms within the same cell.
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- Primary lysosome: Inactive enzymes
- Secondary lysosome: Active digestion
- Residual body: Waste-filled
- Autophagic vacuole: Self-organelle digestion
Example: Macrophages show all types simultaneously.
Pleomorphic Lysosomes
Pleo = varied, morphic = forms
Shape varies by activity and cell type.
- Granular in neutrophils (granulocytes)
- Irregular in hepatocytes
- Large or tubular in macrophages
Key: Shape variability = pleomorphism.
Polymorphic vs Pleomorphic
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| Term | Meaning | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Polymorphic | Many forms by function/stage | Within one cell |
| Pleomorphic | Variable shapes and sizes | Across or within cells |
Pleomorphic Golgi
Adapt shape by function and stress.
- Secretory cells: Large stacks
- Neurons: Fragmented Golgi
- Plant cells: Multiple scattered stacks
- Mitosis: Vesiculated Golgi
- Stress: Swollen or misoriented
“FROM NCERT – The Golgi cisternae (in animals) are concentrically arranged near the nucleus.”
Dictyosome (Plant Golgi)
Pleomorphic version in plant cells
- Small, multiple stacks in plant cells
- Shape & number depend on activity
- Produce pectin & hemicellulose
Poly = many, morphic = forms → having many forms
Exist in several forms within the same cell based on function:
- Primary lysosome: Inactive enzymes
- Secondary lysosome: Active digestion
- Residual body: Waste-filled
- Autophagic vacuole: Self-organelle digestion
Example: Macrophages show all types simultaneously.
Pleo = varied, morphic = forms → variable shapes
Shape/size differ based on activity, type of cell, or digestive load.
- Granular in neutrophils (granulocytes)
- Irregular in hepatocytes
- Large or tubular in macrophages
Key: Shape variability = pleomorphism.
| Term | Meaning | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Polymorphic | Many forms based on function/stage | Within one cell |
| Pleomorphic | Variable shapes and sizes | Across or within cells |
- Secretory cells: Large stacks
- Neurons: Fragmented Golgi
- Plant cells: Multiple scattered stacks
- Mitosis: Vesiculated Golgi
- Stress: Swollen or misoriented
Key: Golgi shape changes to suit function.
“FROM NCERT-The Golgi cisternae (in animals) are concentrically arranged near the nucleus.”
- Small, multiple stacks in plant cells
- Variable shape and number depending on activity
- Produce pectin & hemicellulose for the cell wall
Key: Dictyosome is a pleomorphic version of Golgi in plants.