The Golgi apparatus is an organelle in cells responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for transport to various destinations inside or outside the cell.
Role of Golgi Apparatus
- Protein Modification - It processes and modifies proteins received from the endoplasmic reticulum, including adding carbohydrate (glycosylation) or lipid groups.
- Sorting and Packaging - It sorts and packages proteins and lipids into vesicles that are then directed to their specific cellular destinations, such as lysosomes or the cell membrane.
- Transport - It facilitates the transport of these modified proteins and lipids either within the cell or outside of it through exocytosis.
Characteristics of Golgi Apparatus
- Stacked Membrane Sacs - It consists of a series of stacked, flattened membrane-bound sacs known as cisternae.
- Polarity - The Golgi apparatus has a distinct polarity, with a cis face (the receiving side) and a trans face (the shipping side), which helps in the directionality of its functions.
- Vesicle Formation - It is involved in the formation of transport vesicles that carry modified proteins and lipids to their next destinations.
