Answer to Question #63300 in Cell Biology for Lorna

Question

An electron micrograph of a cell shows the cytoplasm packed with rough er membranes, a golgi complex and mitochondria. What activities might this cell concentrate be? Why would large nuubers of mitochondria be required for these activities?

Answer 1

Rough endoplasmic reticulum is responsible of protein synthesis for further secretion out of the cell. Golgi apparatus is used for the modification of protein. It is addition of carbohydrate or lipid components to protein, and thus, obtainment of glycoproteins and lipoproteins. The Golgi apparatus them forms vesicles for the secretion of these molecules to the outside. Thus, this cell is specialized for the secretory activities. It could produce the digestive enzymes for example. Protein synthesis and movement of vesicles between the rough ER and Golgi apparatus requires much energy. Mitochondria supply this energy in the form of ATP.