The peroxisome was identified as an organelle by Christian de Duve and Pierre Baudhuin in 1966.
Details of the Discovery
The identification of peroxisomes as distinct cellular compartments by Christian de Duve and Pierre Baudhuin marked a significant advancement in cell biology. Their work highlighted the unique enzymatic activities housed within these organelles.
Here's a breakdown of their findings:
- Discovery: De Duve and Baudhuin established that peroxisomes are indeed distinct organelles.
- Enzymatic Content: They discovered that peroxisomes contain various oxidases that produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
- Catalase Role: They also found that peroxisomes contain catalase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down H2O2 into oxygen and water.
These discoveries were crucial in understanding the metabolic processes occurring within cells, specifically those related to oxidation reactions and detoxification.
| Scientist(s) | Year | Key Discovery |
|---|---|---|
| Christian de Duve & Pierre Baudhuin | 1966 | Identified peroxisomes as organelles and described their enzymatic functions involving H2O2 production and degradation. |
In summary, while previous scientists may have observed structures later identified as peroxisomes, it was the work of Christian de Duve and Pierre Baudhuin that definitively established them as distinct organelles, characterized by their specific enzymatic functions.
