Exocytosis - The fluidity of membranes allows materials to be taken into cells by

endocytosis or released by exocytosis.

• Vesicles can be used to release materials from cells. If a vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane, the contents are then
taken outside the membrane and therefore outside the cell. This process is called exocytosis.

• Digestive enzymes are released from gland cells by exocytosis.

• The polypeptides (proteins) are synthesized by the rER which enter into the space of rER.

• rER form tiny vesicles which are taken to the Golgi body or Golgi apparatus.

• The proteins are processed in the Golgi apparatus e.g. into enzymes.

• Many small vesicles containg enzymes are formed by Golgi apparatus which and then carried to the membrane for
exocytosis. In this case the release is known as secretion, because a useful substance is being released, not a waste
product.

• Exocytosis can also be used to expel waste products or unwanted materials. An example is the removal of excess water
from the cells of unicellular organisms.

• The water is loaded into a vesicle, sometimes called a contractile vacuole, which is then moved to the plasma membrane
for expulsion by exocytosis.

• This can be seen quite easily in Paramecium, using a microscope. Figure 4 shows a drawing of Paramecium showing a
contractile vesicle at each end of the cell.
Exocytosis by contractile vacuole in Amoeba helping in removing excess water from
Amoeba preventing from bursting. This is also known as osmoregulation.
1. The vesicle cantaining water or
enzyme moves towards the cell memberane.
2. The vesicle fuses with the cell membrane
because it is fluid in nature.
3. The cell contents are thrown out from the cell.
4. This is called exocytosis.