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The peroxisome membrane contains specific import receptor proteins. All peroxisomal proteins, including new copies of the import receptor, are synthesized by cytosolic ribosomes and then imported into the organelle. Thus peroxisomes form only from preexisting peroxisomes by a process of growth and fission. Presumably, the lipids required to make new peroxisome membrane are also imported. We discuss later how lipids made in the ER can be transported through the cytosol to other organelles.