The Endoplasmic Reticulum
The Fantastic Functions of the Endoplasmic Reticulum!
So What is it Exactly??
- The endoplasmic reticulum, also known as the ER, is the site of cellular chemical reactions
- It is a complicated system of membranous channels and sacs
- It is made up of the Rough and Smooth ER
- The rough ER is the one with ribosomes!
- Connected to the Golgi Apparatus
The Fantastic Functions and Features of the Rough ER
- Studded with glamorous ribosomes!
- Synthesizes proteins
- These proteins may be used for the plasma membrane, or transported to other organelles.
- It forms the vesicles that are used to transport those proteins to the other parts of the cell.
The Fantastic Functions and Features of the Smooth ER
- This is the area of the ER that is NOT studded with ribosomes
- Involved in many biochemical activities
- These include the production AND the storage of lipids
- Continuous with rough ER
- Synthesizes lipids
- These include steroids and phospholipids
- Function is dependent on the particular cell