Distinguish between smooth endoplasmic reticulum and rough endoplasmic reticulum.
Responses
Rough endoplasmic reticulum has vacuoles attached to its surface.
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum has vacuoles attached to its surface.
Rough endoplasmic reticulum has ribosomes attached to its surface.
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum has ribosomes attached to its surface.
The main distinction between smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) lies in the presence or absence of ribosomes on their surfaces.
1. Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum:
- RER appears rough due to the presence of ribosomes attached to its surface.
- Ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis on the RER, making it involved in the production of proteins.
- RER is abundant in cells that require a high amount of protein synthesis, such as secretory cells (e.g., pancreatic cells producing insulin) or cells involved in protein export (e.g., plasma B cells producing antibodies).
2. Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum:
- SER appears smooth as it lacks ribosomes on its surface.
- SER is involved in lipid metabolism, including the synthesis of lipids, phospholipids, and steroids, such as hormones.
- It plays a role in detoxification, as it contains enzymes important for the breakdown of drugs, toxins, and other harmful substances in the liver and other organs.
- SER can store and release calcium ions, important for muscle contraction and other cellular signaling processes.
- It also participates in the metabolism of carbohydrates and helps regulate the balance of glucose in certain cells (e.g., liver cells).
Although both SER and RER can have vacuoles attached to their surfaces, the presence of ribosomes is the key distinction between the two.
which answer choice is correct.
Apologies for any confusion. The correct answer is:
- Rough endoplasmic reticulum has ribosomes attached to its surface.