Smooth endoplasmic reticulum: what is and function

The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (REL) is a cell organelle found in eukaryotic cells and is distinguished by its smooth appearance, without ribosomes attached to its membrane. This organelle consists of a Network of tubular and membranous structures connected to each otherwhich continue in the tanks of the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

Unlike rough endoplasmic reticulum (your counterpart), the smooth endoplasmic reticulum He has no ribosomes attached to his membraneswhich gives him his “smooth” denomination. Due to this absence of ribosomes, the proteins present in this organelle have their origin in the rough endoplasmic reticulum.

• Synthesis, storage and lipid transport: The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is responsible for the synthesis of a wide variety of lipids, such as cholesterol, phospholipids and glucolipids, which are essential components of cell membranes. It also stores and transports lipids to other parts of the cell.
• Muscle contraction: In muscle cells, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, specifically the sarcoplasmic reticulum, plays an important role in muscle contraction. The sarcoplasmic reticulum stores calcium ions that are released during muscle excitement, thus triggering the coordinated contraction of muscle fibers.
• Detoxification: The smooth endoplasmic reticulum contains detoxifying enzymes that help degrade fat -soluble and toxic substances, transforming them into soluble substances that can be excreted by the organism. This function is especially important in the liver, where the smooth endoplasmic reticulum helps in the detoxification of compounds such as drugs and toxins.
• Glucose release from glycogen: In hepatocytes (liver cells), the smooth endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the release of glucose from stored glycogen. The glycogen is degraded in glucose-6-phosphate in the cytoplasm, providing an energy source when necessary.
• Production of transport vesicles: The smooth endoplasmic reticulum also participates in the formation of transport vesicles containing newly synthesized proteins and lipids. These vesicles are subsequently transported to the Golgi apparatus, where they are processed and directed to their final destination inside or outside the cell.

The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (REL) is found distributed throughout the cell cytoplasm and is composed of a network of interconnected membranous tubules. Unlike rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), the relay does not have ribosomes attached to its membrane. The structure of the Rel can vary in different cell types and You can present cisternswhich are expansions or dilations in their form.

In addition, within the rough endoplasmic reticulum, there are small sections of “smooth” endoplasmic reticulum. These sections act as output sites for vesicles that emerge from rough endoplasmic reticulum and are known as endoplasmic transition reticulum.

The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (REL) and the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) are two different components of the endoplasmic reticulum (RE) with different functions in the cell.

• Appearance: The REL is characterized by lack of ribosomes attached to his membrane, which gives him a smooth appearance. On the other hand, the RER has ribosomes attached to its outer membrane, which gives it a rough appearance.
• Function: The relaxation is involved in lipid synthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, calcium storage and detoxification of toxic substances. On the other hand, the RER is mainly responsible for protein synthesis and its subsequent modification.
• Location: The REL is distributed in the cytoplasm of the cell, while the RER is located closer to the nuclear membrane.
• Structure: The story has a more tubular structure, formed by a network of interconnected membranous tubules. In contrast, the RER has a more complex structure due to the presence of ribosomes attached to its external membrane.
• Abundance: The relaxation is abundant in cells that require a lipid synthesis and metabolism, such as liver cells responsible for detoxification. On the other hand, the RER is more abundant in specialized cells in protein synthesis, such as pancreatic cells that produce digestive enzymes.

Now that you know what the smooth endoplasmic reticulum is, we invite you to read these other articles on cell types and the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell.

If you want to read more articles similar to Smooth endoplasmic reticulum: what is and functionwe recommend that you enter our biology category.