A cell biologist compared the properties of rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and smooth ER. She found that one type of ER is used for protein storage, and the other is used for lipid storage. What accounts for this difference?

Question

A cell biologist compared the properties of rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and smooth ER. She found that one type of ER is used for protein storage, and the other is used for lipid storage. What accounts for this difference?

a
Smooth ER works with the nucleus to synthesize protein.
b
Smooth ER creates amino acids for ribosomes to form into proteins.
c
Rough ER forms proteins and transports them to the mitochondria.
d
Rough ER has ribosomes on its surface.

Answer 1

d) Rough ER is involved in protein synthesis, so it has ribosomes on its surface, allowing it to synthesize proteins. Smooth ER, on the other hand, does not have ribosomes on its surface and is involved in lipid synthesis and storage.