Endoplasmic Reticulum [Hdo- + (Cyto)Plasm]

The endoplasmic reticulum is a membrane-bound organelle of the cell, which is part of the cytoskeleton and plays an important role in metabolism within the cell. It consists of two types of membranes: channel and smooth. The channel membrane is located on the outside of the endoplasmic reticulum and connects it with the external environment, and the smooth membrane is located inside the cytoplasm of the cell and performs the function of transporting nutrients and metabolic products.

The endoplasmic reticulum is network-shaped and consists of nodular structures called vesicles. They are small bubbles that contain lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and other substances. Vesicles are the main mode of transfer of substances between the endoplasmic reticulum and other parts of the cell, such as mitochondria, lysosomes and nuclei.