Biology Ease Staff asked 2 years ago
Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER) and Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER) are two types of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that are found in eukaryotic cells. The main differences between these two types of ER are as follows:
Some of the key differences between them are:
1. Appearance: RER appears rough under a microscope due to the presence of ribosomes on its surface, whereas SER appears smooth and lacks ribosomes.
2. Structure: RER consists of flattened sacs called cisternae that are studded with ribosomes, while SER is tubular in structure.
3. Function: RER is involved in protein synthesis, processing, and transport, while SER is involved in lipid synthesis, detoxification of drugs and toxins, and glucose metabolism.
4. Distribution: RER is primarily found in cells that secrete proteins, such as the cells of the pancreas and salivary glands, while SER is found in cells that produce and store lipids, such as liver cells and hormone-producing cells.
5. Size: RER is typically larger than SER due to the presence of ribosomes and associated proteins.
6. Saccules and Vesicles: RER forms saccules and vesicles to transport its synthesized proteins to the appropriate location or organelles, while SER forms vesicles to transport lipids and other materials.
In summary, both RER and SER are important components of the endoplasmic reticulum, but they differ in their composition, structure, and functions. RER is primarily involved in protein synthesis and processing, while SER is mainly involved in lipid metabolism and detoxification.