EUKARYOTIC ORGANELLES |
|
|
|
|
Endoplasmic Reticulum |
|
|
|
|
|
Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)
The endoplasmic reticulum is an internal membrane system that serves as the site where lipid components of the cell membrane are assembled, along with proteins and other materials that are exported from the cell.
The portion of the ER involved in the synthesis of proteins is called rough endoplasmic reticulum, or rough ER. It is given this name because of the ribosomes found on its surface. The other portion of the ER is known as smooth endoplasmic reticulum, or smooth ER, because ribosomes are not found on its surface. Smooth ER contains enzymes that perform specialized tasks such as production of membrane lipids and detoxification of drugs.
This site was last updated on Saturday, November 22, 2008.