BRAINCAKESmooth ER
The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) is a network of membrane-bound sacs and tubes like the rough ER, but without ribosomes on its surface. In electron micrographs it usually appears as a system of branching tubules rather than flattened sheets. It is often continuous with the rough ER.
Functions
• Synthesis of lipids: the SER contains enzymes that make lipids, including triglycerides, phospholipids for new membranes, and cholesterol.
• Synthesis of steroids: steroid hormones such as testosterone and oestrogen are made from cholesterol in the SER, so cells of the testes, ovaries and adrenal glands have a lot of it.
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Key terms in this lesson
- steroid
- A lipid with a structure based on four fused carbon rings; examples include cholesterol and steroid hormones such as testosterone.
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