Golgi body

Golgi Body

The Golgi body, also known as the Golgi apparatus or Golgi complex, is an organelle found in most eukaryotic cells. It was identified in 1897 by the Italian scientist Camillo Golgi, and is named after him.

Function

The primary function of the Golgi body is to process and package the macromolecules such as proteins and lipids that are synthesized by the cell. It is particularly important in the processing of proteins for secretion. The Golgi body modifies proteins and lipids that it receives from the rough endoplasmic reticulum and prepares them for export outside the cell or for transport to other locations in the cell.

Structure

The Golgi body is composed of a series of flattened, stacked pouches called cisternae. The number of these can vary in different cell types. The structure of the Golgi body is very complex and includes the cis face (or receiving side), medial region, and trans face (or shipping side).

Role in Disease

Defects in the function of the Golgi body can lead to diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurodegenerative disorders. In these diseases, the Golgi body can become fragmented and this can disrupt the processing and transport of proteins.

See Also

• Endoplasmic reticulum
• Cell
• Organelle
• Protein
• Lipid

References

Golgi body Resources
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