Transmission electron micrograph showing lysosome in liver cell. No magnification given. Lysosomes are cellular organelles that contain acid hydrolase enzymes to break down waste materials and cellular debris. The name lysosome derives from the Greek words lysis, to separate, and soma, body. They are frequently nicknamed "suicide-bags" or "suicide-sacs" by cell biologists due to their role in autolysis, more commonly known as self-digestion, refers to the destruction of a cell through the action of its own enzymes.