Golgi+Apparatus+and+Vesicles

[[image:golgifigure1.jpg width="413" height="314" caption="golgi apparatus with vesicles"]]
__ Golgi Apparatus __ - a network of stacked sacs found within nucleated cells that store, package, and distribute the proteins and lipids made in the endoplasmic reticulum. The Golgi Apparatus (GA), or golgi body, is considered the distribution and shipping department for the cell’s chemical products. In the golgi body, the products of the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) are modified and stored, and then sent to other destinations. The golgi apparatus is composed of flattened membranous sacs, called **cisternae. **A cell may contain several of these stacks of cisternae. Golgi apparatus has a distinct polarity with the membranes of cisternae. The two poles of a golgi body are the //cis// face and the //trans// face. In the cis face, substances enter from the endoplasmic reticulum for processing, while in the trans face the substances exit. Due to their function, the cis face is found near the endoplasmic reticulum and the trans face is positioned near the plasma membrane. The cis and trans face are the distribution and shipping “departments” of the golgi apparatus. The Golgi apparatus manufactures a variety of macromolecules on its own, including a variety of polysaccharides. In plant cells, the golgi complex produces porteins and other polysaccharides specifically needed by for plant structure and metabolism. The organelles that distribute and ship are called **vesicles**. The products exported by the Golgi apparatus through the trans eventualy fuse with the plasma membrane of the cell. Among the most important duties of the Golgi apparatus is to sort the wide variety of macromolecules produced by the cell and target them for distribution to their proper location.

__ Vesicles __ – spherical, usually fluid-filled membranes that transport substances Vesicles are the transport system of not only the Golgi apparatus but also the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER). The vesicles take the unfinished products of the ER and transport them to the cis portion of the Golgi apparatus. There the vesicle fuses to the Golgi apparatus and adds its mass. Then within the Golgi apparatus, the product goes through the multiple membranous sacs and is transferred by the vesicles, then continues through the medial portion of the Golgi apparatus and comes out the trans side of the Golgi apparatus. The product gets pinched off into a vesicle which then goes wherever the vesicle is marked to go. Specialized molecular identification labels or tags, such as phosphate groups, are added by the Golgi enzymes to aid in this sorting effort.   Interactive Links: [|Interactive golgi apparatus] [|Processing and packaging of the product] [|Six Quick Facts on Golgi Apparatus] [|Golgi Apparatus by Phish (Lyrics)] [|Golgi Apparatus by Phish (Video)]

Davidson, Michael. "The Golgi Apparatus." __Molecular Expressions__. 12/13/04. The Florida State University. 28 Oct 2008 . "The Golgi Apparatus." 06/30/08. 28 Oct 2008 . Brown, Terry. "Golgi Apparatus ." __Cell Structure and Processes__. 28 Oct 2008 . C  ampbell, Neil, Jane Reece, and Lawrence Mitchell. Biology. 5th. Menlo Park: Addiosn Wesley Longman, 1999. Ferguson, John B. "Golgi Apparatus." Microsoft® Student 2007 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2006.
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 * Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2007. © 1993-2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.**