Cisternae are crucial for the cell's protein and polysaccharide processing, packaging, modification, and transport functions. Essentially, they ensure that these molecules reach their correct destinations within the cell or outside of it.
Detailed Functionality of Cisternae
Cisternae, found within organelles like the Golgi apparatus and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), play specific roles in cellular function. Their main function is to process and package proteins and polysaccharides.
Here’s a breakdown:
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Processing: Cisternae modify proteins and polysaccharides. This might involve adding sugar molecules (glycosylation) or folding proteins into their correct three-dimensional shapes.
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Packaging: They package these modified molecules into vesicles. These vesicles act as transport containers.
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Modification: Cisternae can further modify proteins and other molecules as they move through the Golgi or ER. Different cisternae contain different enzymes that perform specific modifications.
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Transport: Finally, the vesicles bud off from the cisternae and transport their contents to their final destinations, which may be other organelles, the cell membrane, or outside the cell. According to the provided reference, the proteins and polysaccharides that are processed in the cisterna are then delivered to their designated locations.
In summary, cisternae are not just storage units, but active participants in the modification and sorting of cellular components, ensuring everything ends up where it should be.
