Question

Differentiate between rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum.

Answer 1

Endoplasmic reticulum:

1. In the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, a complex network of tubular membranes is called the endoplasmic reticulum.
2. The two classes of endoplasmic reticulum are: smooth and rough.
3. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER): It is a cell organelle that participates in the synthesis of enzymes and proteins.
4. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER): It is a cell organelle that Synthesises glycogen, lipids, and steroids.

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)	Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)
It is internal and connected with the nuclear envelope.	It is peripheral and may be connected to plasmalemma.
Formed of cisternae and a few tubules.	Formed of vesicles and tubules.
It helps in the formation of lysosomes.	Gives rise to Spherosomes/ Oleosomes
It possesses ribosomes attached to its membrane.	It does not have ribosomes on its membrane.