ROUGH ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM

Size & Shape:

• Interconnecting flattened cisternae.
  

Location:

• Connected to nuclear membrane & extending out into cytoplasm.
  

Function:

The rough endoplasmic reticulum is distinguished by the ribosomes embedded on its intertwining membrane. Because of these ribosomes, the rough endoplasmic reticulum is responsible for protein synthesis. Among the proteins synthesized there are secretory, lysosomal, or plant vacuolar. As the proteins are manufactured in this organelle, they are passed to the Golgi apparatus where they are modified further.

Related Organelles: Ribosomes, Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi Complex