Question

What is the endoplasmic reticulum?

Answer 1

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER):

1. It is a cell organelle present in eukaryotic cells.
2. It is a part of the endomembrane system.
3. The endoplasmic reticulum is a network or reticulum of small tubular structures dispersed throughout the cytoplasm.
4. The ER splits the intracellular space into two compartments: luminal (within the ER) and extra luminal (cytoplasm).
5. The presence of ribosomes linked to their cytoplasmic surfaces distinguishes rough (Rough endoplasmic reticulum) and smooth (Smooth endoplasmic reticulum) ER membranes.
6. Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) is found in many cells involved in protein synthesis and secretion.
7. The main site for lipid synthesis is the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER).