endoplasmic reticulum

endoplasmic reticulum   n.  A membrane network within the cytoplasm of cells involved in the synthesis, modification, and transport of cellular materials.

Main Entry: endoplasmic reticulum
Function: noun
: a system of interconnected vesicular and lamellar cytoplasmic membranes that functions especially in the transport ofmaterials within the cell and that is studded with ribosomes in some places —see ROUGH ENDOPLASMICRETICULUM

endoplasmic reticulum n.
Abbr. ER
The membrane network in cytoplasm that is composed of tubules or cisternae. Some membranes carry ribosomes on their surfaces while others are smooth.

endoplasmic reticulum   (ěn'də-plāz'mĭk)  Pronunciation Key  An organelle consisting of a network of membranes within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells that is important in protein synthesis and folding and is involved in the transport of cellular materials. The endoplasmic reticulum can be continuous in places with the membrane of the cell nucleus. The function of the endoplasmic reticulum can vary greatly with cell type, and even within the same cell it can have different functions depending on whether it is rough or smooth. ◇ The rough endoplasmic reticulum is a series of connected flattened sacs that have many ribosomes on their outer surface. Rough endoplasmic reticulum synthesizes and secretes serum proteins (such as albumin) in the liver, and hormones (such as insulin) and other substances (such as milk) in the glands. ◇ The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is tubular in form and is involved in the synthesis of phospholipids, the main lipids in cell membranes. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum is the site of the breakdown of toxins and carcinogens in the liver, the conversion of cholesterol into steroids in the gonads and adrenal glands, and the release of calcium ions in the muscles, causing muscle contraction. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum also transports the products of the rough endoplasmic reticulum to other cell parts, notably the Golgi apparatus. See more at cell.