Endoplasmic Reticulum Definition

Endoplasmic Reticulum: A system of cisternae in the CYTOPLASM of many cells. In places the endoplasmic reticulum is continuous with the plasma membrane (CELL MEMBRANE) or outer membrane of the nuclear envelope. If the outer surfaces of the endoplasmic reticulum membranes are coated with ribosomes, the endoplasmic reticulum is said to be rough-surfaced (ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM, ROUGH); otherwise it is said to be smooth-surfaced (ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM, SMOOTH). (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed)

Terms Related to Endoplasmic Reticulum

Agranular Endoplasmic Reticulum
A type of endoplasmic reticulum lacking associated ribosomes on the membrane surface. It exhibits a wide range of specialized metabolic functions including supplying enzymes for ...
Coatomer-Coated Vesicle
TRANSPORT VESICLES formed when cell-membrane coated pits (COATED PITS, CELL-MEMBRANE) invaginate and pinch off. The outer surface of these vesicles is covered with a lattice-like ...
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
A type of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where polyribosomes are present on the cytoplasmic surfaces of the ER membranes. This form of ER is prominent in ...

Synonym: ergastoplasm.

Medical Conditions Dictionary

Endoplasmic Reticulum Definition

Terms Related to Endoplasmic Reticulum

Agranular Endoplasmic Reticulum

Coatomer-Coated Vesicle

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

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