Biology: Golgi Complex and Lysosomes

Academic vocabulary flashcards covering the structure and function of the Golgi complex and Lysosomes based on biology lecture notes.

Cis-Golgi

The outer or convex end of the Golgi complex located near the nuclear membrane; it is also called the forming face.

Trans Golgi

The farthest or inner end of the Golgi complex, which is concave and known as the maturing face where cisternae break up into vesicles.

Cell secretion

The main function of the Golgi complex, involving processing, converting secretions into finished products, and packing them for export.

Phragmoplast

Also known as the cell plate, this is a structure formed at the equator of plant cells by Golgi vesicles containing cell wall synthesizing material to divide parent cells into daughter cells.

Acrosome

A structure formed by the Golgi apparatus during the process of spermiogenesis.

Vitelline membrane

A membrane of the egg ($ovum$) formed by the Golgi apparatus during oogenesis.

Conjugated molecules

Molecules such as glycoproteins and lipoproteins whose formation involves the Golgi complex.

Lysosomes

Sac-like single membrane bounded organelles that break macromolecules in cells; the name is derived from the Greek words lyso (splitting) and soma (body).

Christian de Duve

The Belgian biologist who first reported lysosomes in $1949$.

Central vacuole

The structure in plants that functions as a lysosome, resulting in lysosomes being less numerous in plant cells.

Periplasmic space

The region in bacteria that may function as a lysosome.

Lysosomal Enzymes

About $40$ different types of enzymes, including acid phosphatases and hydrolytic enzymes such as carbohydrases, lipases, nucleases, and proteases.

Lysosome Size

Roughly spherical organelles that typically vary in size from $0.1-0.8\,\mu m$ in diameter.

Phagocytic WBC Lysosome Size

The largest size of lysosomes, ranging from $0.8-2\,\mu m$ in diameter.

Polymorphic cellular organelles

A term for lysosomes because they exist in different morphological and physiological states during their function.

Primary lysosomes

Processed Golgi vesicles that have budded off from Golgi bodies and contain enzymes synthesized by ribosomes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Secondary lysosomes

Organelles formed by the fusion of a primary lysosome with a food vacuole.

Phagosome

A phagocytic food vacuole that fuses with a primary lysosome to form a secondary lysosome.