Question

What is the main function of Golgi apparatus?

Answer 1

Golgi apparatus:

1. Golgi complex is a system of smooth membranous sacs known as cisternae, tubules and small vesicles.
2. The Golgi complex is named after Camillo Golgi (1898) who first described its structure.
3. He reported the structure of Golgi complex in the nerve cells of barn owl and cat.

Functions of Golgi apparatus:

1. Golgi complex is mainly concerned with packaging and forming secretory vesicles for dispatch.
2. In the plants it is involved in the formation of materials of cell wall (cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin and lignin etc).
3. It is involved in the formation of glycoproteins, glycolipids, by glycosylation. They form zymogen granules and yolk granules of oocytes.
4. Golgi veisicles form lysosomes and acrosome of spermatozoa, etc.
5. It forms toxins of nematocysts and stinging hairs of Urtica.
6. It forms cell wall matrix, synthesizes galactose and sialic acid.
7. It forms chondroitin sulphate of matrix of cartilage and hyaluronic acid which acts as intercellular cement in animal cells.
8. It forms retinal pigments.