What is a key characteristic of peroxisomes?

Peroxisomes are membrane-bound organelles that play a crucial role in cellular metabolism, particularly in the breakdown of fatty acids and the detoxification of hydrogen peroxide. The key characteristic that distinguishes peroxisomes is their function as sites for oxidative metabolism. They contain oxidative enzymes such as catalase and oxidases, which are involved in the breakdown of various substances, including fatty acids and reactive oxygen species like hydrogen peroxide.

These enzymes facilitate reactions that ultimately convert harmful byproducts into less toxic substances, ensuring that cellular environments remain stable and functional. This characteristic underlines the importance of peroxisomes in metabolic processes and in protecting the cell from oxidative damage. Other roles, such as energy production or conducting photosynthesis, are performed by different organelles, making the oxidative capacity of peroxisomes their defining feature.