im a series of tubes

found through out the cell
i transport proteins
and other things as well
what am i

a vascular plant

Lol! Capillaries?

You are a network of membranous structures called the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER is a series of interconnected tubules and flattened sacs that are found throughout the cell. It plays a crucial role in protein synthesis and transport within the cell.

To understand how the ER functions in transporting proteins and other molecules, we can break down the process into steps:

1. Synthesis of proteins: Ribosomes, which are small cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis, are often found attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER). The RER is studded with ribosomes and is involved in the production of proteins that are destined to be exported from the cell or inserted into cellular membranes.

2. Protein folding and modification: As the newly synthesized proteins enter the lumen (inner space) of the RER, they undergo folding with the help of specialized enzymes called chaperones. The ER also plays a crucial role in ensuring the proper folding and modification of proteins by adding various molecular tags, such as carbohydrates or lipids, which are essential for the protein's function.

3. Transport to the Golgi apparatus: Once the proteins are properly folded and modified in the ER, they are packaged into transport vesicles. These vesicles bud off from the ER membrane and carry the proteins to another cellular structure called the Golgi apparatus. The Golgi apparatus further modifies, sorts, and packages the proteins for their final destination within the cell or for export outside the cell.

In summary, the endoplasmic reticulum is responsible for the synthesis, folding, and modification of proteins within the cell. It forms a network of tubules and sacs, allowing for efficient transportation of proteins and other molecules throughout the cell.