The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a large organelle that functions as the transportation system of eukaryotic cells. It is a network of sacs and tubules that extend from the nuclear membrane throughout the cytoplasm. The ER is made up of two subunits: the rough ER and the smooth ER. The ER has many functions, including: Protein folding Calcium storage Protein synthesis Lipid metabolism Lipid biosynthesis and storage Production and secretion of steroid hormones Synthesis of essential lipids Metabolism of carbohydrates The ER is also the port of entry for proteins into the... Show more The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a large organelle that functions as the transportation system of eukaryotic cells. It is a network of sacs and tubules that extend from the nuclear membrane throughout the cytoplasm. The ER is made up of two subunits: the rough ER and the smooth ER. The ER has many functions, including: Protein folding Calcium storage Protein synthesis Lipid metabolism Lipid biosynthesis and storage Production and secretion of steroid hormones Synthesis of essential lipids Metabolism of carbohydrates The ER is also the port of entry for proteins into the endomembrane system. The ER is smooth or agranular because there are no ribosomes on its walls. The smooth ER refers to regions on the ER where ribosomes are not attached. Show less
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a large organelle that functions as the transportation system of eukaryotic cells. It is a network of sacs and tubules that extend from the nuclear membrane throughout the cytoplasm. The ER is made up of two subunits: the rough ER and the smooth ER.
The ER has many functions, including: Protein folding Calcium storage Protein synthesis Lipid metabolism Lipid biosynthesis and storage Production and secretion of steroid hormones Synthesis of essential lipids Metabolism of carbohydrates
The ER is also the port of entry for proteins into the endomembrane system. The ER is smooth or agranular because there are no ribosomes on its walls. The smooth ER refers to regions on the ER where ribosomes are not attached.
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