The RER is part of the endomembrane system, which also includes the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and the Golgi apparatus. The RER is continuous with the nuclear membrane, and it surrounds the Golgi apparatus.
The RER is composed of two types of membranes: the outer membrane and the inner membrane. The outer membrane is continuous with the plasma membrane, and the inner membrane is continuous with the nuclear membrane. The space between the two membranes is called the cisternal space.
The ribosomes that are attached to the RER are called RER-associated ribosomes. These ribosomes are responsible for synthesizing proteins that will be secreted from the cell or incorporated into the cell membrane.
The RER plays an important role in the following cellular processes:
* Protein synthesis
* Protein folding
* Protein transport
* Lipid metabolism
* Carbohydrate metabolism
* Detoxification
The RER is a vital organelle for the survival of eukaryotic cells. It is involved in a number of important cellular processes, and its disruption can lead to cell death.
