Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

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What process is performed by the Golgi apparatus in relation to proteins?

Protein synthesis
Protein export
Protein storage
Protein degradation

The correct answer is: Protein export

The Golgi apparatus plays a crucial role in the processing and transport of proteins within the cell. After proteins are synthesized in the ribosomes and enter the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER), they are packaged into vesicles and sent to the Golgi apparatus. Here, the proteins undergo further modifications, such as glycosylation, phosphorylation, and sulfation, which are essential for their maturation and functional specificity. Once the proteins have been adequately modified and sorted, the Golgi apparatus facilitates their export from the cell or sending them to other specific destinations within the cell. This export process is critical for the delivery of proteins that function outside the cell, such as hormones and enzymes, or those that are meant to be incorporated into the membrane or organelles. Thus, the primary function the Golgi apparatus performs concerning proteins is their export. This highlights its pivotal role in the secretory pathway and cellular communication.