1. Ribosomes: These are the protein factories of the cell. They read the genetic code from messenger RNA (mRNA) and use it to assemble amino acids into protein chains.
2. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER): This network of membranes serves as a protein processing and transport system. It has two main regions:
* Rough ER: Studded with ribosomes, where proteins are synthesized and enter the ER lumen for folding and modification.
* Smooth ER: Lacks ribosomes and focuses on lipid synthesis and detoxification.
3. Golgi Apparatus: This organelle acts like a sorting and packaging center for proteins. It receives proteins from the ER, further modifies them, sorts them into vesicles, and then directs them to their final destinations within or outside the cell.
