Golgi apparatus

Camillo Golgi (1898) first observed densely stainedreticular structures near the nucleus. These werelater named Golgi bodies after him. They consistof many flat, disc-shaped sacs or cisternae of0.5µm to 1.0µm diameter (Figure 8.6). These arestacked parallel to each other. Varied number ofcisternae are present in a Golgi complex. The Golgicisternae are concentrically arranged near thenucleus with distinct convex cis or the formingface and concave trans or the maturing face.

the cis and the trans faces of the organelle are entirely different, butinterconnected.The golgi apparatus principally performs the function of packagingmaterials, to be delivered either to the intra-cellular targets or secretedoutside the cell. Materials to be packaged in the form of vesicles fromthe ER fuse with the cis face of the golgi apparatus and move towardsthe maturing face. This explains, why the golgi apparatus remains inclose association with the endoplasmic reticulum. A number of proteinssynthesised by ribosomes on the endoplasmic reticulum are modifiedin the cisternae of the golgi apparatus before they are released from itstrans face. Golgi apparatus is the important site of formation ofglycoproteins and glycolipids