An early endosome is a membrane-bound compartment within eukaryotic cells that plays a crucial role in the endocytic pathway. It is one of the first sorting stations for endocytosed material, receiving vesicles that have budded off from the plasma membrane. The early endosome is characterized by a mildly acidic pH and is responsible for sorting and directing internalized molecules either for recycling back to the plasma membrane or for further degradation in late endosomes and lysosomes.
