Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

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Which organelle is involved in the production and folding of proteins?

  1. The Golgi apparatus

  2. The endoplasmic reticulum

  3. The mitochondria

  4. The lysosome

The correct answer is: The endoplasmic reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the organelle primarily responsible for the production and folding of proteins. It consists of two types: the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), which is studded with ribosomes on its cytoplasmic surface, making it the site of protein synthesis. As proteins are synthesized, they enter the lumen of the RER, where they undergo initial folding and modifications such as glycosylation, which is crucial for their functionality and stability. The folding of proteins is essential because correctly folded proteins are necessary for biological activity, whereas misfolded proteins can lead to dysfunctional cellular processes and diseases. The RER facilitates the proper folding of these proteins by providing a controlled environment, as well as assisting in the formation of disulfide bonds and the addition of carbohydrate groups. While the Golgi apparatus plays a role in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion or delivery to different cellular locales, it does not itself produce proteins. Mitochondria are involved in energy production and metabolism, and lysosomes are primarily responsible for breaking down waste materials and cellular debris, so these organelles do not play a direct role in protein synthesis or folding.