The golgi complex and mitochondria in the secretory cycle of chromaffin cells during the secretory phase

Summary

The object of study was the organelles of the rat adrenal chromaffin cell under normal conditions and in hypoglycemic shock caused by insulin injection in the animals, resulting in the active secretion of catecholamines by the cortex of the adrenal gland. The organelles of these cells underwent considerable changes. The Golgi complex became loose and was distributed throughout the cell. Mitochondria, normally few and of granular, rod- and filamentous forms, usually localized around the nucleus, became uniformly distributed in the cell, increased in number, and enlarged in size, and were mainly granular in form.

The characteristic changes in the Golgi complex and mitochondria during the phase of active secretion are evidence for their active participation in the secretory process.