Vesicle (biology)

In cell biology, a vesicle is a relatively small and enclosed compartment, separated from the cytosol by at least one lipid bilayer. Vesicles store, transport, or digest cellular products and wastes.

Related Topics:
Cell biology - Cytosol - Lipid bilayer - Transport - Digest - Cellular - Products - Waste

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This biomembrane enclosing the vesicle is the same as that of the outer cellular membrane. Thus, because of the separation, the intravesicular environment can be made to be different from the cytosolic environment. Vesicles are a basic tool of the cell for organizing metabolism, transport, enzyme storage, as well as being chemical reaction chambers. Many vesicles are made in the Golgi apparatus, but also in the endoplasmic reticulum, or are made from parts of the plasma membrane.

Related Topics:
Cellular membrane - Metabolism - Enzyme - Golgi apparatus - Endoplasmic reticulum - Plasma membrane

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