Is Golgi Present in Plant and Animal Cells?

There are various organelles that are present in the cells of both plants and animals, and Golgi is one of them. Golgi apparatus or Golgi complex is a cell organelle that plays a significant role in the processing, sorting, and modification of proteins and lipids. In this article, we will explore whether Golgi is present in plant and animal cells or not.

Golgi in Animal Cells

Golgi apparatus is a crucial organelle in animal cells that is found near the nucleus. It is composed of stacks of flattened sacs that are known as cisternae. These cisternae are folded together like a stack of pancakes and are separated by small vesicles. The Golgi apparatus in animal cells is known for its function of modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids that are then transported to various parts of the cell.

Golgi in Plant Cells

Similar to animal cells, plant cells also have Golgi apparatus, but it is a bit different in structure. The Golgi in plant cells is dispersed throughout the cytoplasm, and each cisterna is comparatively larger and flatter. Moreover, in the plant cell, Golgi is responsible for synthesizing and modifying the cell wall polysaccharides, which is a crucial function for the survival and growth of the plant cell.

Differences in Golgi Apparatus in Plant and Animal Cells

Although the basic structure of the Golgi apparatus is the same in both plant and animal cells, there are certain differences between them. For instance, the Golgi in animal cells is generally located near the cell nucleus, while in plant cells, it is distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Additionally, the cisternae in plant cells are larger and flatter than in animal cells. Moreover, in plant cells, Golgi plays a vital role in the synthesis and modification of cell wall polysaccharides.

Functions of Golgi Apparatus

The primary function of Golgi apparatus is to modify, sort, and package proteins and lipids that are then transported to their final destination. However, aside from this, Golgi also plays a significant role in the synthesis and modification of complex polysaccharides that are used for cell growth and division. Moreover, Golgi can also act as a storage organelle, where molecules are stored until they are required by the cell.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Golgi apparatus is present in both plant and animal cells. Although there are some structural differences between the cisternae in animal and plant cells, the fundamental function of the Golgi apparatus remains the same. It plays a crucial role in the processing, sorting, and modification of proteins and lipids that are essential for the survival and growth of the cell. Hence, it can be concluded that Golgi plays a vital role in maintaining the proper cellular function of both plant and animal cells.