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Endoplasmic Reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum (translated, the "within the cytoplasm" "little net") is one of several organelles found in every eukaryotic cells. You've seen them yourself in fresh eggs – the long strand that extends roughly from the yolk to the shell. The endoplasmic reticulum is composed in the same way as the plasma membrane, even though it's actually an extension of the nuclear membrane.

The endoplasmic reticulum helps to translate, fold, and transport proteins; creates macromolecules; and transfers substances through the cell. It also transfers substances out of the cell; this is called secretion or exocytosis.

The endoplasmic reticulum consists of a membranous network of tubes and cisternae (tiny sac-like structures) enclosed in a membrane. This structure and its connection to both the outside of the cell and the cytoplasm enables it to collect, store, and easily transport substances into and out of the cell like a gateway. In addition, parts of the endoplasmic reticulum are covered with ribosomes, which act to assemble amino acids into proteins. This minimizes time from production to the time proteins arrive at their destinations; and it also helps the cell recycle amino acids that might otherwise be evacuated from the cell.

You could visualize the endoplasmic reticulum as the cell's superhighway, with a direct connection to both factories and recycling centers.

Web Resources On Endoplasmic Reticulum

Endoplasmic Reticulum: Structure and Function
Endoplasmic Reticulum

Book Resources On Endoplasmic Reticulum

Endoplasmic Reticulum: A Metabolic Compartment by Angelo Benedetti (Editor)
Quality control of protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum by Shilpa Mehta

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