What is the primary function of the Golgi apparatus?

The primary function of the Golgi apparatus is to modify, sort, and package proteins and lipids that have been synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum. Once proteins and lipids are produced, they are transported to the Golgi apparatus in vesicles. Here, they undergo various modifications, such as glycosylation (the addition of sugar molecules) and phosphorylation, which are crucial for their final functional forms and destinations.

After these modifications, the Golgi apparatus sorts these molecules based on their destination—whether they are to be sent outside the cell, incorporated into the cell membrane, or sent to other organelles within the cell. This sorting and packaging is critical for maintaining cellular function and ensuring that proteins and lipids reach their correct locations to perform their specific roles in the cell.

In contrast to this, the other options relate to functions not associated with the Golgi apparatus. For example, configuring the cytoskeleton is a function of various types of protein filaments throughout the cell. Generating ATP is primarily the role of mitochondria, while storing genetic information is the function of the nucleus. Thus, the answer reflects the key role that the Golgi apparatus plays in post-translational processing and distribution of biomolecules essential for