What is the difference between rough and smooth ER?
Posted August 25, 2021
Answer
Although the rough and smooth ER form part of the same organelle, there are several differences between the two.
Basis For Comparison | Rough ER | Smooth ER |
Appearance | Has a rough membrane surface | Has a smooth membrane surface |
Has ribosomes attached to the membrane surface | Yes | No |
Structure | Formed mainly of cisternae and few tubules | Formed mainly of tubules and vesicles |
Presence of pores | Possesses narrow pores below the ribosomes facilitating the passage of synthesized polypeptides into ER channels. | Pores are absent. Materials synthesized by SER do not pass into its channels. |
Location | Often internal. Connected with nuclear envelope. | Often peripheral. May be connected with plasma lemma. |
Presence of Ribophorins | Contains Ribophorins that facilitate the attachment to ribosomes. | Ribophorins are absent. |
Has enzymes for detoxification | No | Yes |
Functions | Protein synthesis, folding and sorting; formation of lysosomes | Synthesis of lipids, glycogen, and steroid hormones; storage and release of calcium ions |
Occurrence | Found in abundance in cells involved in protein synthesis e.g. liver cells, plasma cells, pancreatic cells, and goblet cells | Found in abundance in cells involved in lipid metabolism e.g. adipose cells, muscle cells, retinal cells, interstitial cells, leucocytes, and glycogen storing cells of the liver |
Additional resources
Cell Navigator™ Live Cell Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Staining Kit *Blue Fluorescence*