Question

The golgi complex plays a major role

• A. in trapping the light and transforming it into chemical energy
• B. in digesting the proteins and carbohydrates
• C. as energy transferring organelles
• D. in post translational modification of proteins and glycosidation of lipids

Hint:

Think of the Golgi complex as the "post office" or "packaging facility" of the cell.
It receives raw materials from the ER, adds custom modifications (like glycosylation "stamps"), sorts them, and ships them to their final cellular destinations.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Golgi complex (or Golgi apparatus) is a highly organized, polar organelle consisting of a series of flattened, membrane-bound cisternae.
It serves as the primary sorting and dispatching station of the endomembrane system.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Proteins and lipids synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are transported via COP-II vesicles to the cis-entry face of the Golgi complex.
As these molecules move through the cis-, medial-, and trans-cisternae of the Golgi, they undergo extensive chemical processing:
1. Post-translational modifications: This includes the remodeling of N-linked oligosaccharide chains, phosphorylation, sulfation, and O-linked glycosylation of proteins.
2. Glycosidation of lipids: The Golgi is the primary site for synthesizing sphingomyelin and converting ceramide into glycolipids (glycosphingolipids) by adding sugar groups.
3. Sorting and Packaging: At the trans-Golgi network, modified proteins and lipids are sorted and packaged into secretory vesicles destined for lysosomes, the plasma membrane, or exocytosis.
Let us review the other options:
- Trapping light (A) is the role of chloroplasts.
- Digesting macromolecules (B) is the role of lysosomes.
- Energy transfer (C) is the role of mitochondria.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, the Golgi complex is primarily responsible for the post-translational modification of proteins and the glycosidation of lipids, corresponding to option (D).