The structure you’re referring to is called the Golgi apparatus or Golgi body. This organelle plays a crucial role in the processing and sorting of proteins and lipids that have been synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER).
Once proteins are synthesized in the rough ER, they are transported to the Golgi apparatus in vesicles. Here, the Golgi apparatus modifies these proteins, often by adding carbohydrate groups, which helps in sorting and determining their final destinations. After processing, the Golgi apparatus packages these molecules into new vesicles that bud off and can be sent to various locations, including the cell membrane for secretion outside the cell.
In essence, the Golgi apparatus acts like a shipping center, preparing and dispatching products that are vital for the cell’s function and communication with its environment.