What is the of the endoplasmic reticulum?

Answer 1

here are several definitions i found on dictionary.com

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

endoplasmic reticulum-noun Cell Biology. a network of tubular membranes within the cytoplasm of the cell, occurring either with a smooth surface (smooth endoplasmic reticulum) or studded with ribosomes (rough endoplasmic reticulum), involved in the transport of materials.

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This endoplasmic reticulum

n. A membrane network within the cytoplasm of cells involved in the synthesis, modification, and transport of cellular materials.

endoplasmic reticulum (ěn'də-plāz'mĭk) Pronunciation Key

An organelle consisting of a network of membranes within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells that is important in protein synthesis and folding and is involved in the transport of cellular materials. The endoplasmic reticulum can be continuous in places with the membrane of the cell nucleus. The function of the endoplasmic reticulum can vary greatly with cell type, and even within the same cell it can have different functions depending on whether it is rough or smooth. â—‡ The rough endoplasmic reticulum is a series of connected flattened sacs that have many ribosomes on their outer surface. Rough endoplasmic reticulum synthesizes and secretes serum proteins (such as albumin) in the liver, and hormones (such as insulin) and other substances (such as milk) in the glands. â—‡ The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is tubular in form and is involved in the synthesis of phospholipids, the main lipids in cell membranes. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum is the site of the breakdown of toxins and carcinogens in the liver, the conversion of cholesterol into steroids in the gonads and adrenal glands, and the release of calcium ions in the muscles, causing muscle contraction. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum also transports the products of the rough endoplasmic reticulum to other cell parts, notably the Golgi apparatus. See more at cell.

my knowlage: an organelle found inside of some cells often abbreaviated as ER. A rough ER is an ER with ribosomes stuck to it, and a smooth ER is one without ribosomes. the ER is often found around the nucleus. it can sometimes be confused with the Golgi complex because of their similar looking shape.

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