What organelle is involved in packaging proteins for export from the cell?

The Golgi apparatus is the organelle responsible for modifying, packaging, and sorting proteins and lipids that have been synthesized in the cell. After proteins are produced in the rough endoplasmic reticulum, they are transported to the Golgi apparatus in vesicles. Within the Golgi, these proteins undergo further modifications, such as glycosylation, and are then packaged into vesicles for transport to their destinations, which can include secretion outside of the cell or delivery to other organelles. This function is critical for maintaining cellular processes, such as communication and metabolism, as proteins often serve as enzymes, receptors, or structural components.

The other organelles listed do not perform this specific role. Lysosomes are involved in breaking down waste materials and cellular debris, peroxisomes specialize in lipid metabolism and detoxification, and ribosomes are the sites of protein synthesis rather than packaging.