What is the purpose of exocytosis?

Exocytosis serves to facilitate cellular communication, waste removal, and growth and repair of cellular membrane.

Cellular communication - Communication between cells is crucial in order to maintain an optimum internal environment. To facilitate communication with each other, cells produce signaling molecules such as hormones and neurotransmitters. These are released from the cells through exocytosis before being delivered to neighboring cells.  

Waste removal - There are several essential processes occurring in a cell at any given moment. These processes generate some amount of toxins or waste products that may be harmful if allowed to remain inside the cell. Exocytosis serves to expel the waste from the cells in order to maintain a stable internal environment.  

Cellular membrane growth and repair – During the process of endocytosis, cells use proteins and lipids from the plasma membrane to produce vesicles. The cell membrane gets replenished during exocytosis when it fuses with certain vesicles during exocytosis.