What type of cell structure is a peroxisome considered?

A peroxisome is indeed considered a microbody, which is a specific type of cellular compartment involved in various metabolic functions. Microbodies are generally small, membrane-bound organelles that contain enzymes crucial for processes like the breakdown of fatty acids and detoxification of harmful substances, including hydrogen peroxide, which peroxisomes specifically help to decompose.

This classification as a microbody highlights the specialized role of peroxisomes in cellular metabolism. They are part of a family of organelles that include glyoxysomes and similar structures, which are characterized by their size and enzymatic activities rather than their membrane composition alone. Understanding this distinction is important in cell biology, as it underscores the functional diversity of organelles within a cell and how they contribute to the overall metabolic network.