

Sequestration of calcium ions: The regulated release of calcium ions from Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum of skeletal and cardiac muscles regulates the contraction of the cell.Lipid Synthesis: Lipids are rapidly transferred to the target cell after being synthesised from by the Smooth ER.Synthesis of steroid hormones in endocrine cells of gonads and adrenal cortex.Glycosomes are the protein moieties that corresponds to the enzymes involved in the synthesis of Glycogen.įollowing is a list of some of the most important functions performed by Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum. In liver and heart, special structures called Glycosomes are present which are associated with the Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum. Smooth ER is responsible for synthesis and storage of lipids like cholesterol and phospholipids which are required for building a cell’s plasma membrane. Smooth ER is extensively developed in skeletal muscles, kidney tubules and steroid producing endocrine glands. Functions of Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum The membrane of the Smooth ER does not contain Ribosome therefore it is not involved in protein synthesis and is also not a part of the endomembrane system. After homogenization (separation) the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum forms the fragments of rough vesicles while in case of Smooth ER smooth-surfaced vesicles are formed.Ī protein called Reticulon is present in Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum which is responsible for the curvature and bending of the Smooth ER. According to some theories proposed by the scientists, the Smooth ER is an extension of the Rough ER which is itself an extension of the outer membrane of the nucleus.

The membranes of Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum are highly curved and tubular, forming an interconnected system present in the cytoplasm and near to plasma membrane. Structure of Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum Functions of Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum.Structure of Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum.In muscle cells, a specialized SER called the sarcoplasmic reticulum is responsible for storage of the calcium ions that are needed to trigger the coordinated contractions of the muscle cells.

The SER’s functions include synthesis of carbohydrates, lipids, and steroid hormones detoxification of medications and poisons alcohol metabolism and storage of calcium ions. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) is continuous with the RER but has few or no ribosomes on its cytoplasmic surface (see Figures 1-3). Since the RER is engaged in modifying proteins that will be secreted from the cell, it is abundant in cells that secrete proteins, such as the liver. If the phospholipids or modified proteins are not destined to stay in the RER, they will be packaged within vesicles and transported from the RER by budding from the membrane ( Figure 3). Figure from The Cytoplasm and Cellular Organelles OpenStax. (Micrographs provided by the Regents of University of Michigan Medical School © 2012). (c) Smooth ER synthesizes phospholipids, steroid hormones, regulates the concentration of cellular Ca++, metabolizes some carbohydrates, and breaks down certain toxins (source: mouse tissue). (b) Rough ER is studded with numerous ribosomes, which are sites of protein synthesis (source: mouse tissue). The smooth and rough endoplasmic reticula are very different in appearance and function (source: mouse tissue). Figure 2 (a) The ER is a winding network of thin membranous sacs found in close association with the cell nucleus. The RER also makes phospholipids for cell membranes. The rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) is so named because the ribosomes attached to its cytoplasmic surface give it a studded appearance when viewed through an electron microscope ( Figure 2). The ribosomes synthesize proteins while attached to the ER, resulting in transfer of their newly synthesized proteins into the lumen of the RER where they undergo modifications such as folding or addition of sugars. The membrane of the ER, which is a phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins, is continuous with the nuclear envelope ( Figure 1). The hollow portion of the ER tubules is called the lumen or cisternal space. Figure 1 The rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum are part of the endomembrane system. However, these two functions are performed in separate areas of the endoplasmic reticulum: the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, respectively.
#FORTS GAME BUILDING TUTORIAL SERIES#
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a series of interconnected membranous tubules that collectively modify proteins and synthesize lipids.
