Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

The endoplasmic reticulum is the cellular component, it is present in most of the eukaryotic cells. It performs various functions for cells. It can be named the transportation system of the cell. The endoplasmic reticulum is subdivided into two types, one is Rough faced endoplasmic reticulum and another type is smooth-faced endoplasmic reticulum, both types of endoplasmic reticulum are important organelles of cells. So below, we have discussed the endoplasmic reticulum, its Subdivision, functions, structures, importance, etc.

The smooth endoplasmic reticulum, in contrast to the rough endoplasmic reticulum, is more tubular. Formation of the interconnecting network sub-compartment of the endoplasmic reticulum takes place by the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. Its distribution is all over the cytoplasm.

The reason it is known as smooth is that it is not studded with ribosomes. The Smooth Endoplasmic reticulum is almost exclusively for lipids manufacturing. In certain cases, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum also regulates lipids metabolism.

In liver cells, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum facilitates the breaking down of glycogen to glucose. The storing of this glycogen takes place as granules on the smooth endoplasmic reticulum’s external surface. There is also the involvement of the Smooth endoplasmic reticulum in steroid hormone production. This production happens in the endocrine glands and the adrenal cortex.

The smooth endoplasmic reticulum’s surface structure is opposite of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, it doesn’t have any ribosomes studded in it and hence smooth surface is observed. It is termed a smooth endoplasmic reticulum due to its smooth surface. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is found in the case of the nucleus. Its membranes are found in the cell periphery. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum has tabular-like sacs present all over the cell which helps the cell perform many functions. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is found in abundant quantities near the cells which secrete cells for reproductive organs and oil glands. Here are smooth endoplasmic reticulum functions and their structure.

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum Structure

• It has tabular-shaped sheets around the cells which perform various functions for the cell.
• Its surface is smooth since there are no ribosomes on it.
• The smooth endoplasmic reticulum position is likewise close to the rough endoplasmic reticulum location since it contains no ribosomes on the surface.

 Smooth endoplasmic reticulum functions

• To perform the duplication of steroids, phospholipids and lipids.
• The rough endoplasmic reticulum’s materials are shipped to other cell organelles by the smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
• To cleanse all the contents of harmful products of alcohol and drugs.
• It increases the metabolism of carbohydrates content present in cells.
• It regulates the cell’s calcium ion concentration.
• The smooth endoplasmic reticulum participates in an important process of the body called gluconeogenesis which produces glucose.
• Its smooth surface gives the advantage of storing main enzymes and the products with cells.

Key differences

Conclusion:

The endoplasmic reticulum is a tubule and flattened sacs network that performs several functions in cells. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum lacks connected or attached ribosomes. Cisternae form the general structure of the endoplasmic reticulum. It is like a network of membranes. Both types of endoplasmic reticulum remain absent in sperm cells and red blood cells as these cells don’t need to perform synthesis or transportation of proteins for their functioning. However smooth endoplasmic reticulum and rough endoplasmic reticulum both perform different functions for cells.