Table of contents

1. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology5h 43m
2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components12h 36m
3. Energy & Cell Processes10h 6m
4. Tissues & Histology10h 3m
5. Integumentary System2h 20m
6. Bones & Skeletal Tissue2h 16m
7. The Skeletal System2h 35m
8. Joints2h 17m
9. Muscle Tissue2h 33m
10. Muscles1h 11m
11. Nervous Tissue and Nervous System1h 35m
12. The Central Nervous System1h 6m
- Introduction to the Central Nervous System
  18m
- The Cerebrum
  48m
13. The Peripheral Nervous System1h 26m
14. The Autonomic Nervous System1h 38m
15. The Special Senses2h 41m
16. The Endocrine System2h 48m
17. The Blood3h 22m
18. The Heart3h 42m
19. The Blood Vessels3h 35m
20. The Lymphatic System3h 16m
21. The Immune System14h 37m
22. The Respiratory System3h 20m
23. The Digestive System2h 5m
24. Metabolism and Nutrition4h 0m
25. The Urinary System2h 39m
26. Fluid and Electrolyte Balance, Acid Base Balance37m
27. The Reproductive System2h 5m
28. Human Development1h 21m
29. Heredity3h 32m

2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components

Introduction to Eukaryotic Organelles

Anatomy & Physiology

2. Cell Chemistry & Cell Components

Introduction to Eukaryotic Organelles

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2:33 minutes

Problem 15

Textbook Question

A pancreas cell makes proteins (enzymes) that it releases to the small intestine. Which of the following best describes the path of these proteins from synthesis to exocytosis at the pancreatic cell's plasma membrane (PM)? a. Golgi → rough ER → PM, b. smooth ER → Golgi → lysosome → PM, c. rough ER → Golgi → PM, d. nucleus → Golgi → PM.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the function of the pancreas cell. Pancreatic cells are specialized for producing and secreting enzymes (proteins) that aid in digestion. These enzymes are synthesized and processed within the cell before being released via exocytosis.

Step 2: Recall the role of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The rough ER is studded with ribosomes, which are responsible for synthesizing proteins. Proteins destined for secretion are synthesized here and then transported to the Golgi apparatus for further processing.

Step 3: Understand the role of the Golgi apparatus. The Golgi apparatus modifies, sorts, and packages proteins received from the rough ER. It prepares them for their final destination, which in this case is the plasma membrane for exocytosis.

Step 4: Recognize the process of exocytosis. After being processed in the Golgi apparatus, the proteins are packaged into vesicles. These vesicles travel to the plasma membrane, where they fuse with the membrane and release their contents into the extracellular space.

Step 5: Eliminate incorrect options based on the correct pathway. The correct path for proteins synthesized in a pancreatic cell is: rough ER → Golgi → plasma membrane. This matches option c. Other options incorrectly describe the sequence or include organelles not involved in this process.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is the process by which cells generate new proteins, primarily occurring in the ribosomes of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In pancreatic cells, enzymes are synthesized in the rough ER, where ribosomes translate mRNA into polypeptide chains, which then fold into functional proteins.

Golgi Apparatus

The Golgi apparatus is an organelle responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles. After proteins are synthesized in the rough ER, they are transported to the Golgi, where they undergo further processing before being sent to their final destinations, such as the plasma membrane.

Exocytosis

Exocytosis is the process by which cells expel materials in vesicles that fuse with the plasma membrane, releasing their contents outside the cell. In the context of pancreatic cells, after proteins are processed in the Golgi, they are packaged into vesicles that travel to the plasma membrane for exocytosis, allowing the enzymes to enter the small intestine.