The Golgi apparatus is one of the most significant organelles present in most of the eukaryotic cells. It is a membrane-bound sac and is also known as Golgi body, Golgi complex, etc. The key functions of this organelle are as follows:
- It carries out the processing of the proteins generated in the endoplasmic reticulum.
- It transports proteins to different parts of the cell.
- It involves the modification of cargo proteins by Golgi enzymes.
- It imports nucleotide sugars from the cytosol in order to carry out the processes of glycosylation and phosphorylation.
- It breaks down proteins and forms small, active fragments.
- The addition of sulfate groups to the proteins takes place in the Golgi apparatus.
- Phosphate molecules are also incorporated into the proteins in the Golgi apparatus.
- It transports the lipids around the cell.
- It is important in the creation of lysosomes.
- It involves the processing and packaging of the macromolecules (for example, proteins and lipids).
- It involves the synthesis of proteoglycans.
- The Golgi apparatus can also be thought of as the “post office” of a eukaryotic cell.