The Golgi Apparatus Function

The golgi apparatus which is also known as Golgi body is a eukaryotic cell organelle identified by Camillo Golgi, an Italian physicist in the year 1898. Golgi body is actually a pile/stack of membranous structures called cisternae. The different Golgi apparatus functions are different. The number of cisternae in a single stack vary between 6-8. In some protists, however, the number could extend up to 60.
The Golgi bodies are found in both plant & animal cells. The cisternae of Golgi body have four structural components i.e., cis-Golgi, endo-Golgi, medial-Golgi and sweeteners trans-Golgi. The vesicles extending from endoplasmic reticulum fuse with network. These vesicles then enter the stacks of Golgi body and finally reach the trans-Golgi. The different regions of Golgi apparatus contain different types of enzymes. These enzymes have certain specific tasks assigned to them. Vesicles leave the Golgi apparatus from the side of trans-face.
Functions of Golgi Apparatus
The Golgi apparatus is an important organelle of eukaryotic cells. Directing the carbohydrates and proteins required by the body to their correct destination is the primary job of Golgi body. In this process of directing molecules to appropriate destinations, they (molecules such as proteins and carbohydrates) are tagged with destination information and structural modifications. Let us understand what are the functions of Golgi apparatus in detail.
The main function of Golgi apparatus is to carry out the processing of proteins generated in endoplasmic reticulum. Along with the work of processing proteins, the Golgi apparatus also transports it to the different parts of cell.
Sulfate groups are added to protein molecules in the Golgi apparatus.
Incorporation of phosphate molecules onto molecules of proteins is also an important task carried out in the Golgi apparatus.
Transportation of lipids around cells and creation of lysosomes are the important functions carried out by Golgi apparatus.
Sulfation is an important task carried out by the Golgi body. The sulfation of substances passing through the lumen of food additives Golgi body is carried out with the help of sulfotransferases.
Synthesis of proteoglycans is carried out by the Golgi body. The proteoglycans are found in extracellular matrix of animal cells.
The Golgi enzymes present in membranous disks of cisternae carry out the modification of cargo proteins. Modification of various substances is carried out by enzymes in cisternae with the help of processes like phosphorylation and glycosylation.
To carry out the glycosylation and phosphorylation processes, nucleotide sugars are imported by the Golgi apparatus from cytosol.
Polysaccharides are attached with proteins in order to form carbohydrates.
One of the tasks of Golgi apparatus is carrying out the breakdown of proteins and formation of small, active fragments.
Carbohydrates are synthesized in the Golgi body. The process of carbohydrate synthesis involves production of polysaccharides and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).
The long, unbranched polysaccharides and GAGs are attached to proteins in order to form proteoglycans.
The GAGs are polymerized by enzymes present in Golgi body with the help of D-Xylose link; it leads to the formation of core proteins.
Golgi apparatus plays an important role in the prevention of destruction of cells (or apoptosis). The Bcl-2 genes present in the Golgi are used for this purpose.