Which of the following is NOT a function of the Golgi apparatus?

Which of the following is NOT a function of the Golgi apparatus?

• A. Protein packaging
• B. Lipid modification
• C. Ribosome synthesis
• D. Vesicle formation

Answer: (C)

The Golgi apparatus is an essential organelle within eukaryotic cells, primarily involved in the processing, modification, packaging, and transport of proteins and lipids. One of its key functions is to modify proteins received from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) before sending them to their final destinations; this involves processes like glycosylation and sorting. Option C, which refers to ribosome synthesis, is not a function of the Golgi apparatus. Ribosomes are actually synthesized in the nucleolus, a region within the nucleus of the cell, where rRNA is combined with proteins to form ribosomal subunits. These subunits are then transported to the cytoplasm, where they play a crucial role in protein synthesis by translating mRNA into polypeptide chains. In contrast, the Golgi apparatus does engage in protein packaging, lipid modification, and vesicle formation. After proteins are modified, they are packaged into vesicles that bud off from the Golgi and are directed either to the cell membrane for secretion or to other organelles. This highlights how the Golgi apparatus is central to the post-translational processing of proteins and lipids in the cell, distinguishing its specific roles from the synthesis of ribosomes.

The Golgi apparatus is an essential organelle within eukaryotic cells, primarily involved in the processing, modification, packaging, and transport of proteins and lipids. One of its key functions is to modify proteins received from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) before sending them to their final destinations; this involves processes like glycosylation and sorting.

Option C, which refers to ribosome synthesis, is not a function of the Golgi apparatus. Ribosomes are actually synthesized in the nucleolus, a region within the nucleus of the cell, where rRNA is combined with proteins to form ribosomal subunits. These subunits are then transported to the cytoplasm, where they play a crucial role in protein synthesis by translating mRNA into polypeptide chains.

In contrast, the Golgi apparatus does engage in protein packaging, lipid modification, and vesicle formation. After proteins are modified, they are packaged into vesicles that bud off from the Golgi and are directed either to the cell membrane for secretion or to other organelles. This highlights how the Golgi apparatus is central to the post-translational processing of proteins and lipids in the cell, distinguishing its specific roles from the synthesis of ribosomes.