FUNCTION OF GOLGI 119 



that the secretory products may be directed outwards. Bowen, 

 it will be remembered, did not consider this conclusion necessary. 



The same two workers in 1925 (23) showed that the Golgi 

 apparatus w^as very actively concerned in the process of resyn- 

 thesis of fats from fatty acids and glycerol in the cells of the 

 intestinal epithelium. An enormous hypertrophy of the Golgi 

 apparatus occurred. The mitochondria appeared unchanged 

 throughout the activity. There is no doubt as to the synchronism 

 of the Golgi activity and the resynthesis, as known conditions were 

 produced by experimental feeding. The resultant fats can also 

 be demonstrated cytologically. 



In the case of the kidneys observations by Curry (25), in 1929, 

 after excessive excretion experimentally induced, showed that no 

 significant variations in inter-relations of granules, globules, 

 mitochondria and Golgi apparatus occurred. The explanation 

 suggested is that the kidneys are normally so active that the 

 increase induced was small and so did not cause a sufficient 

 difference in the inclusions. This is very probable. It must be 

 remembered that the kidneys differ from the true glands in that 

 their activity is constant and continuous, whereas glands such as 

 those referred to above all have alternating periods of rest and 

 activity. Furthermore, the peculiar and very constant form of 

 the Golgi apparatus in all kidneys of vertebrates indicates that 

 some correlation exists between the apparatus and the specialised 

 function of the cells. 



The Golgi apparatus in other cells appears to be fairly small. 

 Such exceptions as there are, are significant. Epithelia under- 

 going cornification have an hypertrophied Golgi apparatus (Deineka 

 and Cajal). Similarly, in connective tissues forming adipose 

 tissues or in the formation of cartilage and osteoblasts, hyper- 

 trophy occurs. 



From data such as these has grown up the general theory 

 of the function of the Golgi apparatus. Nassonov first put it 

 forward, but Bowen has been instrumental in obtaining its 

 general acceptance, in these terms : — 



The Golgi apparatus is a centre of synthetic processes. It is 

 engaged primarily in the production of secretory granules. These 



