Which organelle combines polysaccharides with protein compounds and secretes these to other parts of the cell?

• A. Golgi Apparatus
• B. Endoplasmic Reticulum
• C. Lysosomes
• D. Mitochondria

Answer: (A)

The Golgi apparatus acts as the cell’s processing and shipping center for molecules destined for secretion or for other parts of the cell. It receives proteins and carbohydrate chains from the endoplasmic reticulum, adds polysaccharide groups to proteins to form glycoproteins, and then packages these into vesicles to be sent to the cell surface or other destinations. This combination of polysaccharides with protein compounds and subsequent secretion is a hallmark function of the Golgi. The endoplasmic reticulum mainly synthesizes proteins and lipids, lysosomes contain digestive enzymes, and mitochondria generate energy, so they don’t perform this specific processing and targeted shipping role.