What Are Golgi Bodies, What Do They They Do, and Where Are They?

Golgi bodies are part of the cytomembrane system of a cell. They modify cellular proteins, package these molecules and ship them throughout the cell. They also produce vesicles that decompose fatty acids, proteins, polysaccharides, nucleic acids and amino acids. Genetic defects that are responsible for deficient Golgi body function can cause neurodegenerative conditions such as Batten's disease.

Basics

• Golgi bodies are organelles found in cells that look much like a tall stack of flapjacks. They are composed of a sequence of flattened vesicles, or sacs. The Golgi bodies are capable of moving throughout a cell's cytoplasm to act upon target molecules.

Location

• Golgi bodies are found in both plant and animal cells, floating in the cytoplasm or cellular fluid between the cell wall and the nuclear membrane. The top vesicle in the Golgi body takes up position near the cellular groups on which it acts.

Function

• Enzymes within the Golgi body complete or modify unfinished lipids and proteins, then sort and segregate them in vesicles for cellular transport. Golgi bodies also produce vesicles such as peroxisomes and lysosomes through a process known as budding. These cellular bodies are important in both the cleanup and defense of the cell.

Peroxisomes and Lysosomes

• Peroxisomes break down amino acids and some lipids through oxidation. They contain hydrogen peroxide, a potent oxidant, which is inactivated by cellular antioxidants to prevent damage to the rest of the cell. Lysosomes are vesicles that use a slurry of digestive enzymes to decompose polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids and some lipids. A lysosome is capable of digesting a cell part or even a whole cell.