Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum- The Best Organelle in the Cell

Why Is the Soft ER Important?

• The Smooth ER is vital in the synthesis of lipids, including cholesterol and phospholipids.  The processes are used in the creation of a new cell membrane.

• In some types of cells, the Smooth ER is also a significant part of the synthesis of steroid hormones from cholesterol.

What are the Soft ER’s Main Functions?

• In muscles, the Smooth ER assists in the contraction of the muscle cells, and in brain cells, it synthesizes male and female hormones.

• In the cells of the liver, it is involved in the detoxification of drugs

What Are Other Functions of The Smooth ER

• In the skeletal cells, the Smooth ER acts as a specialized membrane known as the sarcoplasmic reticulum, this keeps and stores ions and calcium.

• It also releases calcium ions when the muscle cell is triggered by nerve stimuli.

https://youtu.be/WGfhBGla0Zc


References:

All About the Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum and its Function. (2018, March 19). Retrieved from https://biologywise.com/smooth-endoplasmic-reticulum-function

Rogers, K. (2018, September 12). Smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Retrieved fromhttps://www.britannica.com/science/smooth-endoplasmic-reticulum

(n.d.). Retrieved from https://study.com/academy/lesson/smooth-er-definition-functions-structure.html

Smooth ER. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.stolaf.edu/people/giannini/cell/smooth.htm