Golgi Apparatus: Definition, Structure & Functions

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Arpita Srivastava

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The Golgi apparatus is a cell organelle found in the eukaryotic cells. It is found in both plants and animals. Golgi apparatus is responsible for the processing and packaging of proteins and lipid molecules.

  • It is also known as the Golgi Complex or the Golgi Body or Golgi.
  • The term was coined by Italian biologist Camillo Golgi.
  • They are membrane-bound organelles found in the cell's cytoplasm
  • Golgi Apparatus is found at the intersection of the secretory, lysosomal, and endocytic pathways.
  • The cytoplasm is located close to the nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum.
  • Plant cells contain hundreds of golgi apparatus.
  • It has a single lipid bilayer membrane in comparison to the double lipid bilayer membrane.
  • The Golgi Apparatus is one of the three components of the GERL system.

Read More: Cell Wall 

Key Terms: Golgi apparatus, Golgi complex, Cell organelle, Cytoplasm, Endoplasmic reticulum, Cisternae, Cells, Membranes, Proteins, Plasma Membrane


Structure of Golgi Apparatus

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Golgi Apparatus is a membrane-bound organelle comprising a five to eight-cup-shaped series of compartments called cisternae. In general, a Golgi apparatus has four to six cisternae.

  • There are exceptions in certain cases when the Golgi body has 60 cisternae.
  • A cisternae is a flattened membranes-enclosed disk that originates at vesicular clusters.
  • Cisternae are also popularly known as dictyosomes.
  • The cisternae are held together by matrix proteins.
  • The collection of cisternae is divided into cis, medial, and trans compartments.
  • These compartments are called the cis Golgi network (CGN) and the trans Golgi network (TGN).
  • Between the "cis" face and the "trans" face, the Golgi apparatus is structurally polarised, with three major compartments. 
  • Cis Golgi network is a golgi in which cisternae lie closest to the endoplasmic reticulum.
  • The medial golgi network forms the central layers of cisternae.
  • Trans Golgi network is the cisternae farthest from the endoplasmic reticulum.
  • The cis Golgi network and the trans Golgi network are in charge of sorting proteins and lipids.
  • Organelle is received at the cis face or released at the trans face.

Golgi Apparatus

Golgi Apparatus

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Function of Golgi Apparatus

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The function of Golgi Apparatus are as follows:

Secretion

All glandular cells rely on the Golgi complex to concentrate and package their products.

  • The products are packed in a soluble protein coat observable under an electron microscope as dark staining. 
  • Exocytosis or reverse pinocytosis is the process by which a product will get out of the cells.

Transformation of membranes

The Golgi complex causes membrane transfor­mation or the transformation of one membrane type.

  • For example, the ER membrane is transformed into another selectively permeable plasma membrane, a differentiated membrane of lysosomes. 
  • The complex is also involved in plasma membrane recycling.

Glycolipids and glycoproteins

Proteins produced by the rough endoplasmic reticulum and lipids produced by the smooth endoplasmic reticulum reach the Golgi apparatus' cisternae. Glycoproteins and glycolipids are formed when they mix with carbohydrates.

Simple carbohydrates

The Golgi complex produces sialic acid and galactose.

Complex carbohydrates

Pectic compounds, mucopolysaccharides, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulphate, hemicelluloses, and other complex carbohydrates are generated inside the Golgi complex, in addition to glycogen and starch.

Hormones

It is involved in the production of hormones by the endocrine glands.

Matrix

The Golgi complex in connective tissue cells produces the matrix.

Fat transport

Through the Golgi complex, fatty acids and glycerol ingested by the intestinal epithelium are transferred as fat to the lacteal.

Synthesis of pigments

The Golgi complex has been found to generate retinal pigment in chick embryos.

Formation of acrosome

The acrosome is a component of the tip of animal sperm that aids in the digestion of the egg or ovum covering the sheath during fertilisation. The Golgi complex produces it with the help of its vesicles.

Golgi Apparatus

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Things to Remember

  • Golgi Apparatus is also known as the Dalton Complex, Apparato Reticulare, or Golgi Complex.
  • It is a cytoplasmic structure composed of smooth membrane saccules or cisternae.
  • The apparatus consists of a network of tubules with vesicles and vacuoles.
  • It plays a role in membrane transformation, secretion, and the production of complex biochemicals.
  • In prokaryotic cells, the Golgi apparatus or complex is lacking (PPLO, bacteria and blue-green algae).
  • The Golgi Apparatus is either single or consists of a single connected complex in animal cells.
  • The Golgi complex has no set shape or size.
  •  They are determined by the cells' physiological state.

Read More: Difference Between Cytoplasm and Protoplasm


Sample Questions

Ques. What is the role of the Golgi Apparatus in the formation of new cell walls? (2 marks)

Ans. The Golgi complex secretes pectic chemicals from the intermediate lamella and different polysaccharides from the cell wall. Secretion vesicles transport them to the site of new wall formation.

Ques. What are Golgian vacuoles? (2 marks)

Ans. They are cisternae that have enlarged and become modified to produce vacuoles. The developing or concave face produces the vacuoles. 

  • Amorphous or granular material is found in Golgian vacuoles. 
  • Lysosomes are seen in several of the Golgi vacuoles.

Ques. What is the Golgi Apparatus? (3 marks)

Ans. The Golgi apparatus, also known as the Golgi complex or Golgi body, is a membrane-bound organelle found in eukaryotic cells (those with clearly defined nuclei) that consists of a series of flattened, stacked pouches known as cisternae. 

  • The Golgi apparatus is in charge of transporting, altering, and packaging proteins and lipids into vesicles so that they can be delivered to specific locations.
  • It is found in the cytoplasm, close to the cell nucleus and next to the endoplasmic reticulum. 
  • Much of the cell wall material also goes through the Golgi in plant cells.

Ques. Write the structure of the Golgi apparatus? (5 marks)

Ans. Between the "cis" face and the "trans" face, the Golgi apparatus is structurally polarised, with three major compartments. These faces are biochemically separate, with each section having a distinct enzymatic composition. 

  • The membranes on the cis face are usually thinner than the others.
  • The Golgi apparatus is made up of four to eight cisternae in most species, but it can be as many as 60 cisternae in some single-celled organisms. 
  • The cisternae are held together by matrix proteins, while cytoplasmic microtubules sustain the entire Golgi apparatus. 
  • "Cis" (cisternae closest to the endoplasmic reticulum), "medial" (central layers of cisternae), and "trans" (cisternae farthest from the endoplasmic reticulum) are the three basic compartments of the apparatus (cisternae farthest from the endoplasmic reticulum). 
  • The cis Golgi network and the trans Golgi network, which are made up of the outermost cisternae at the cis and trans faces, respectively.
  • They are in charge of sorting proteins and lipids that the organelle receives (at the cis face) or releases (at the trans face).

Ques. What is the location of the Golgi Apparatus? (5 marks)

Ans. The Golgi complex or apparatus in animal cells is either single or consists of a single connected complex. Localised (most vertebrate cells) and diffused (most vertebrate cells) are the two conditions (most invertebrate cells, liver and nerve cells of vertebrates).

  • The compacted organelle is localised. It usually happens on one end of the cell, between the nucleus and the periphery. 
  • For example, the dispersed organelle forms a network around the nucleus in nerve cells.
  • The Golgi apparatus in plant cells is made up of dictyosomes, which are disconnected units. 
  • Their numbers range from one in certain basic algae to 25000 in Chara's rhizoidal cell. 
  • Each plant cell typically contains 10-20 dictyosomes. Golgi Somes are Golgi apparatus units that can be found in up to 50 units per liver cell.

Ques. What are cisternae? (5 marks)

Ans. The Golgi complex is made up of a stack of membrane-bound saccules or cisternae that are usually 4-8 (range 3-20). The saccules or cisternae membranes are smooth but vary in thickness, and they enclose a 60-90 lumen. 

  • Lumen is made up of a fluid substance called a matrix. The adjacent cisternae in a stack are separated by a space of 100-300 A. 
  • A thin layer of cytoplasm with parallel fibrils covers the intercisternal region.
  • The saccules are usually bent to give the Golgi apparatus a distinct polarity. The equipment has a convex on one side and a concave on the other. 
  • The convex side of the apparatus is known as the forming (=formative, cis-face) face, whereas the concave side is known as the maturing face (trans-face). 
  • The maturing facial membranes are around 7-8 nm thick, while the developing face membranes are about 4 nm thick.
  • The endoplasmic reticulum delivers (transitional) vesicles to the developing face. 
  • Coated vesicles and intercisternal connectives help their contents flow through diverse cisternae. 

Ques. What are the functions of the Golgi Apparatus? (5 marks)

Ans. Here are some of the functions:

  • Secretion: All glandular cells rely upon the Golgi apparatus to concentrate and pack their products in a soluble protein coat. Exocytosis or reverse pinocytosis is how they get out of the cells.
  • Transformation of membranes: The Golgi complex causes membrane transfor­mation, or the transformation of one type of membrane (for example, the ER membrane) into another (e.g., selectively permeable plasma membrane, a differentiated membrane of lysosome). The complex is also involved in plasma membrane recycling.
  • Glycolipids and glycoproteins: Proteins produced by the rough endoplasmic reticulum and lipids produced by the smooth endoplasmic reticulum both reach the Golgi apparatus' cisternae. Glycoproteins and glycolipids are formed when they mix with carbohydrates.
  • Simple carbohydrates: The Golgi complex produces sialic acid and galactose.
  • Complex carbohydrates: Pectic compounds, mucopolysaccharides, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulphate, hemicelluloses, and other complex carbohydrates are generated inside the Golgi complex, in addition to glycogen and starch.

Ques. What are the main components of the structure of the Golgi Apparatus? (1 mark)

Ans. The main components of the structure of the Golgi Apparatus are as follows:

  • Cisternae
  • Lumen
  • Transport Vesicle
  • Trans Face
  • Outgoing Transport Vesicle

Ques. What is the difference between the Golgi Cisternae and ER Cisternae? (4 marks)

Ans. The differences between the Golgi Cisternae and ER Cisternae are as follows:

Golgi Cisternae

ER Cisternae

It is also known as golgi apparatus.

It is also known as endoplasmic reticulum. 

Golgi complex is found near the nucleus and ER.

ER Cisternae is found near the nucleus and extends to cytoplasm.

It is used for modification, sharing and packaging of proteins.

It is used for protein synthesis along with modification of protein.

The cisternae is stacked with distinct regions of cis, medial and trans.

The cisternae is a network of interconnected tubules and flattened sacs.

Ques. Is Golgi apparatus or complex an organelle? (2 marks)

Ans. Golgi apparatus or complex is a membrane-bound organelle. Its structure is similar to that of endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes. It has a single lipid bilayer membrane as opposed to the double lipid bilayered membranes. The Golgi complex is part of the GERL system, which stands for the Golgi Apparatus, the Endoplasmic Reticulum and the Lysosomes.

Ques. Explain: (A) Exocytotic Vesicles (B) Secretory Vesicles (C)Lysosomal Vesicles (3 marks)

Ans. (A) Exocytotic Vesicles: Exocytotic vesicles consist of proteins that are used for extracellular release. After packaging is complete, the vesicles move towards the plasma membrane, where they fuse and release the required proteins.

(B) Secretory Vesicles: Secretory Vesicles are also known as Regulated secretion, which is also made up of proteins. After packaging is complete, the vesicles are released until a signal is received.

(C) Lysosomal Vesicles: This category of vesicles is made of proteins and ribosomes. In this vesicle first fuses with the late endosome and is later transferred to the lysosome.

Ques. What is endoplasmic reticulum? (2 marks) 

Ans. The Endoplasmic Reticulum is responsible for the transportation of eukaryotic cells and is used for the folding of proteins. It is divided into rough endoplasmic reticulum and smooth endoplasmic reticulum. The proteins transported by the endoplasmic reticulum are marked with an address tag called signal sequence. The majority of proteins are retained in the motif.

Ques. What is a vesicle? (3 marks)

Ans. A vesicle is a structure found inside and outside the cell which is enclosed by a lipid bilayer. It is formed during the process of secretion and uptake. Vesicles act as a transport material within the plasma membrane. The process of secretion that takes place inside the body is called exocytosis. Vesicles perform a variety of functions, including temporary storage of food, and buoyancy control and also work as chemical reaction chambers.

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