What is the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum?
Structure
The Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum is an organelle made of several tubules, flattened sacs and vesicles. It forms a branched reticulum that expands as the cell becomes more active in the making of proteins. The rough ER is adjacent to the cell nucleus and runs continuous with the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. The rough ER is referred to as "rough" because of the ribosomes it has. Rough ER is covered in ribosomes which makes it appear to have a bumpy outer surface texture under the magnification of a microscope. It's main purpose is to produce proteins, quality check them and then distribute them to the different parts both in and out of the cell.
Function
The rough ER acts like a factory. It manufactures and then ships out the proteins it makes. Processing and production of specific proteins at ribosomes cites are happing in the rough ER. The ribosomes in the organelle create proteins that will go through the rough ER for further processing. The rough ER will fold back and forth on each other making proteins that will be delivered. Proteins are then shipped to the Golgi apparatus. In the lumen of the rough ER, the proteins that are created go through a quality control process. Any proteins which have been formed or folded incorrectly are rejected.
If Rough ER Was Missing?
If the rough ER was missing proteins it will be transported to the Golgi Apparatus. It would make the Golgi Apparatus go down because it will be getting shipped proteins. Rough ER won't be able to handle the proteins by adding fats or sugars, then folding them. Our body could then lack enzymes we need. We will not be able to break down things fast enough, which will cause a build up in materials.
:) Rough ER Fun Facts :)
-There are two types of Endoplasmic Reticulum smooth and rough ER.
-The Endoplasmic Reticulum transports substances made around the cell so it can be exported
-Rough ER is a set of flatted membrane sheets.
-Some of the proteins and lipids, in the ER, help build the cell membrane.
-The other type of Endoplasmic Reticulum, smooth ER, is associated with lipid fat manufacture, metabolism, steroid function,etc.
-In animal cells the ER is more than half the reassembling content of the cell.
-Rough ER is found throughout a cell but denser around the Golgi apparatus and the nucleus.
-Some 13 million ribosomes can found on the rough ER in liver cells.
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Quick Fact: The rough ER is found in both plant and animal cells.
Diseases
A disease associated with the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum is the Lysosmal Storage Disease. This disease is a group of disorders that affect specific enzymes in a certain location. The disease is a genetically caused problem. Enzymes break down items for reuse in cells. If the enzymes are missing they can build up and become toxic. The build up can lead to damage of cells and organs in the body.
Endoplasmic Reticulum stress due to aging, the environment and genetic mutations has also been known to be involved in such diseases as diabetes, inflammation, liver disease, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cystic fibrosis, and bipolar disorder.