Golgi Apparatus – Structure, Functions, Discovery & Interactive Quiz (10 MCQs)

 

🔹 Discovery

Discovered by Camillo Golgi in 1898 while studying the nervous system.

He used a new staining technique (Golgi staining).

Initially called Reticular apparatus.

Some scientists doubted its existence, but the electron microscope later confirmed it as a real organelle.

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🔹 Structure

Made up of 5–8 cup-shaped, membrane-bound sacs called cisternae, stacked on top of each other.

Number of cisternae varies with the cell’s function:

Some unicellular flagellates → up to 60 cisternae

Animal cells → 10–20 Golgi stacks

Usually located near the nucleus.

➡️ Two Faces of Golgi:

Cis-face (forming face):

Located near the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER).

Receives vesicles containing proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, etc.

Trans-face (maturing face):

Located near the plasma membrane.

Exports vesicles to their final destination (inside or outside the cell).

https://en.wikipedia.org/

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🔹 Functions (💡 Think of it as the "Post Office of the Cell")

Processing & Packaging Center of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates.

Modifies molecules → forms glycoproteins and glycolipids.

Dispatches products in vesicles:

Secretions → released outside the cell.

Some products → sent back to ER or become lysosomes.

In plants, it makes pectin and polysaccharides needed for cell wall and metabolism.

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🔹 Step-by-Step Working

ER forms small vesicles with proteins/lipids.

Vesicles move to cis-face of Golgi.

Fusion occurs → molecules enter Golgi lumen.

Golgi enzymes modify them (e.g., add sugars).

Final products leave through trans-face in new vesicles.

Vesicles deliver products to:

Cell membrane (for secretion)

Inside the cell (lysosomes, ER, etc.)

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📝 Exam Tips

One-liner: Golgi apparatus is the “distribution & shipping department” of the cell.

Remember: Cis = Receiving, Trans = Dispatching.

Plant cell → Golgi makes pectin (important MCQ point).

Discovery year = 1898 (possible short Q).

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✨ Attractive Memory Trick:
👉 Think of Golgi as "Amazon Warehouse of the Cell" 📦

ER = Factory (produces items)

Golgi = Amazon Warehouse (packs & labels)

Vesicles = Delivery Trucks 🚚

Destination = Home (cell part) or Abroad (outside cell)

 

Golgi Apparatus — Quick Quiz (10 MCQs)

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