Endoplasmic Reticulum In Cytoplasm: 5 Facts You Should Know

Endoplasmic reticulum is responsible for the whole transportation activities within eukaryotic cells. Let us discuss the endoplasmic reticulum in cytoplasm in detail.

Endoplasmic reticulum is a sac-like membrane system in cytoplasm, actively taking part in cellular transportation mechanisms. Apart from that, endoplasmic reticulum performs several functions like protein synthesis and folding, lipid synthesis, etc within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells.

As an important part of endomembrane system of cell, endoplasmic reticulum consists of different structures, such as – Cisternae(unbranched sac-like structure having ribosomes) , Tubules (branched tubular structure without ribosomes) and Vesicles (spherical enclosed structure with attached ribosomes).

Let us discuss if endoplasmic reticulum is a cytoplasmic organelle, where they are found in cytoplasm, how do they work and many other related questions in the article. 

Is endoplasmic reticulum a cytoplasmic organelle?

The cytoplasm of cells consist of some subcellular structures, known as cytoplasmic organelles. Let us know if the endoplasmic reticulum is a cytoplasmic organelle or not.

Endoplasmic reticulum is a cytoplasmic organelle. These complex network-like compartments have specific functions in cytoplasm. They are an important part of the endomembrane system of cell. Hence there is no doubt, endoplasmic reticulum is an essential cytoplasmic organelle found in eukaryotic cell.

Endoplasmic reticulum in cytoplasm
Endoplasmic reticulum in cytoplasm from Wikimedia commons

Where are endoplasmic reticulum found in the cytoplasm?

The endoplasmic reticulum plays a significant role as one of the main components of the endomembrane system of cells. Let us find out where the ER is found in cytoplasm.

Endoplasmic reticulum is found in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. For having different functions they were found to remain scattered within the cytosol. They move from one place to another to transport materials. Most of the time the tubular membrane of ER is found near the nucleus of the cell.

How does endoplasmic reticulum work in cytoplasm?

Endoplasmic reticulum performs several different functions within a eukaryotic cell. Let us focus on how endoplasmic reticulum works in cytoplasm step by step-

  • As a part of the endomembrane system, endoplasmic reticulum divides the Cytoplasmic environment into some compartments.
  • Endoplasmic reticulum actively takes part in biogenesis of lipid molecules such as phospholipids, cholesterol, steroid hormones, etc. Subsequently, the modified lipid molecules are transported to ER-Golgi intermediate compartment and distributed further.
  • It is also related to the metabolism of carbohydrates.
  • Endoplasmic reticulum synthesizes calcium ions within it and transported them through various calcium channels at the site where needed. It maintains ion concentration specifically in the muscular and nervous cell system.
  • Endoplasmic reticulum synthesizes protein elements such as membrane integral proteins and cytosolic proteins.  
  • They also play a significant role in protein packaging mechanisms and also in fate determination. Glycosylation, disulfide bond formation, oligomerization, etc are important protein modification mechanisms done under ER lumen.
  • Endoplasmic reticulum transport several metabolites from one place to another in a cell.
  • Not only the metabolism, endoplasmic reticulum also have some role in detoxification of cell.

Difference between endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasm?

Endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasm are important components of a cell, having several similarities and differences. Let us focus on the differences between them.

CharacteristicsEndoplasmic reticulumCytoplasm
DefinitionEndoplasmic reticulum is a tubular network-like membranous organelle which divides intracellular space into some compartments and plays a crucial role in cellular transportation.Cytoplasm is the semifluid substance of a cell that holds all the internal cell components such as cell organelle, cytoskeleton, etc within it.
StructureEndoplasmic reticulum has a tubular sac-like structure.Cytoplasm is a semifluid gel-like matrix part of a cell.
LocatedTypesEndoplasmic reticulum is generally located all over the cytoplasm, mainly close to the nucleus of the cell.There are two types of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) found such as- smooth endoplasmic reticulam (SER) and rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER).Cytoplasm remains enclosed inside the plasma membrane and outside the nuclear membrane of the cell. There is only one type of cytoplasm found within all types of cell but the presence of components (organelle) may differ from prokaryotic to eukaryotic cell, from animal to plant cell, etc.
FunctionThe main function of endoplasmic reticulum is to transport cellular materials from one place to another.The main function of cytoplasm in to hold all the cell components within it and give the cell a proper shape.
Role as storage materialEndoplasmic reticulum also serve as storage compartments where they store cellular materials like protein temporarily. Cytoplasm stores all components of a cell within it. Cytoplasm also store the endoplasmic reticulum itself within it.
Role in metabolismEndoplasmic reticulum plays a significant role in metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids such as phospholipids, cholesterol, etc.Cytoplasm is not directly associated with the metabolism of certain metabolites such as lipid, protein but serves as a platform where every metabolic activity of the cell can take place.
Containing ribosomesThe rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) contains ribosomes attached to its structure. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum doesn’t contain ribosomes in it.Cytoplasm contains large amounts of free ribosomes embedded within its cytosolic part. Role in transportationEndoplasmic reticulum plays a significant role in cellular transportation mechanisms.Cytoplasm itself does not help with cellular transportation mechanisms but all the transportation activities occur within it.
Found inEndoplasmic reticulum is found only in eukaryotic cell types except red blood cells (RBC) and spermatozoa cells.From prokaryote to eukaryotes, all types of cell must have cytoplasm within their structure.
Difference between endoplasmic reticulum and cytoplasm

Does cytoplasm have smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

Cytoplasm holds different cell organelles within it. Let us see if it has smooth endoplasmic reticulum(SER) attached to it. 

Cytoplasm has smooth endoplasmic reticulum embedded within it. This type of endoplasmic reticulum does not have ribosome molecules attached to it. It plays a significant role in cell activities

Endoplasmic reticulum in cytoplasm
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum and rough endoplasmic reticulam from Wikimedia commons

Conclusion

As a whole we can say that endoplasmic reticulum is a very important cytoplasmic organelle found in eukaryotic cells. Here, we discuss endoplasmic reticulum in cytoplasm and some most related facts about it. Hope this article is helpful to you.

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