The two main functions of peroxisomes areAlpha oxidation of fatty acids present in animal cells, thus facilitating lipid metabolism. They also cause breakdown of D- amino acids, polyamines and bile acid (therefore peroxisomes are abundant in cells of the liver).They are involved in degradation of hydrogen peroxide (formed as a harmful byproduct of other metabolic cycles).They detoxify the rapidly forming reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protect DNA from oxidative destruction. They may also be variously involved in cell signaling activities.