NIEMANN- PICK DISEASE

Organelle

FUNCTION

STRUCTURE

• Lysosomes are enclosed by a single-layer membrane that allows the
• remainder of the cell to be protected from the harsh digestive enzymes
• that lysosomes use to break down and rid the cell of unwanted materials.
• This membrane also allows the lysosome to maintain an acidic
• environment similar to that of the stomach that aids in this same digestion.

DISEASE

• If lysosomes are not breaking down the lipids, an excess amount will
• build up and will have to find storage somewhere. This could possibly
• explain for the enlarged liver and spleen found within Maudie's body.
• This facilitation of poor lipid storage could clog blood vessels and cause
• problems such as neural degeneration.