Constitutive secretory pathways

Definition

Constitutive secretory pathways are cellular processes in which vesicles continuously transport proteins and lipids from the Golgi apparatus to the cell surface. This pathway operates without external signals and is essential for maintaining cell membrane integrity and extracellular matrix composition.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Constitutive secretory pathways are always active and do not require specific signals to function.
2. Proteins transported via this pathway are typically destined for the plasma membrane or extracellular space.
3. This pathway plays a crucial role in replenishing membrane lipids and proteins lost during endocytosis.
4. Vesicles involved in constitutive secretion bud off from the trans-Golgi network.
5. The constitutive secretory pathway is distinct from regulated secretory pathways, which rely on specific signals to trigger vesicle release.

Review Questions

Related terms

Golgi Apparatus:

A cellular organelle involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

Endocytosis:

The process by which cells internalize molecules by engulfing them in vesicles derived from the plasma membrane.

Regulated Secretory Pathways: Cellular processes where vesicles store secreted materials until a specific signal triggers their release.