Endoplasmic Reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle of cells in eukaryotic organisms that forms an interconnected network of tubules, vesicles, and cisternae. The rough endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the synthesis of proteins and is also a membrane factory for the cell, while smooth endoplasmic reticula are involved in the synthesis of lipids, including oils, phospholipids and steroids, metabolizing of carbohydrates, regulation of calcium concentration and detoxification of drugs and poisons. Sarcoplasmic reticula solely regulate calcium levels.

The lacey membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum were first seen by Keith R. Porter, Albert Claude, and Ernest F. Fullam in the year 1945.