Secretory vesicles

Definition

Secretory vesicles are membrane-bound sacs that transport and release substances produced within the cell to the exterior via exocytosis. They play a crucial role in processes like hormone secretion, neurotransmitter release, and enzyme export.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Secretory vesicles originate from the Golgi apparatus.
2. They participate in exocytosis to release their contents outside the cell.
3. The membrane of secretory vesicles fuses with the plasma membrane during substance release.
4. They are essential for cell-to-cell communication by releasing signaling molecules.
5. Disruptions in secretory vesicle function can lead to diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.

Review Questions

Related terms

Golgi Apparatus:

An organelle involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or use within the cell.

Exocytosis: The process by which a cell transports secretory products through the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane.

Endocytosis:

The process by which cells internalize molecules by engulfing them into a newly formed vacuole.