Do Plant Cells Have Endoplasmic Reticulum? 7 Complete Facts

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is described as the continuous membrane system that has sac-like structures attached. Let us check if ER is present within the plant cells. 

All the plant cells have been found to contain endoplasmic reticulum (ER) which helps in the movement of proteins along with other molecules within the cells. It has multiple functions but the prime one is to be the transportation system of the plant cells. 

Let us check on a detailed idea about the location, the number and the necessity of the endoplasmic reticulum within the plant cells along with gaining an idea about the outcomes on the plant cells in its absence. 

Where is endoplasmic reticulum located in plant cell?

Every organelle within the cells has a specific site in order to process their functions. Let us check the location of the endoplasmic reticulum within the plant cells. 

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) are found to be distributed entirely across the cytoplasm of the plant cells in order to facilitate the effective transportation system. A part of the ER remains contiguous with the nuclear membrane.

The Golgi apparatus has also been identified to have a close association with the ER within plant cells.  

Why do plant cells have endoplasmic reticulum?

Every organelle within the plant cells has specific functions. Let us check why the endoplasmic reticulum is present in the plant cells and what are the functions. 

Plants cells have been identified to have the endoplasmic reticulum as they have a series of roles, which are as follows: 

1. Protein folding unit

  • The lumen component of the endoplasmic reticulum engages in folding the proteins to provide biochemical structure to work on the ‘lock and key’ mechanism which ensures the recognition of the linking sites.

2. Control section of Protein quality 

  • The lumen component of the endoplasmic reticulum engages in quality control checking where the proteins are being checked and the ones with incorrect structure are ensured to be rejected. 
  • The rejected proteins are either stored within the lumen itself or are sent for recycling where the proteins are broken down into amino acids. 

3. From Rough ER to Golgi

  • The proteins that are manufactured are to be transferred to the Golgi apparatus in most of the cases in terms of “finishing”. These are either done through vesicles or by the ER directly. 
  • After the “finishing” of the protein manufacturing, they are further transferred to the required set of locations or organelles. 

4. Detoxing

  • The ER, especially the Smooth ER, engages in detoxifying a series of organic chemicals in plants by ensuring their conversion to a safer set of water-soluble products.
do plant cells have endoplasmic reticulum
Endoplasmic Reticulum in Plant cell from Wikimedia

How many endoplasmic reticulum are in a plant cell?

In a plant cell, different organelles are present in different numbers, either singular or in multiples. Let us check how many ER are present within the plant cells.

In the plant cells, a singular endoplasmic reticulum is present in a continuous bilayer membrane with a lumen which is continuous. It contains both the variants, namely the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER).  

At times, within the plant cells, the different variants of ER tend to appear as separate components, but they are the subcomponents of one singular endoplasmic reticulum organelle. 

Which plant cells are without endoplasmic reticulum?

Some cells tend to lack specific organelles. Let us check if any of the plant cells lack endoplasmic reticulum (ER).

There are no pant cells without the presence of endoplasmic reticulum. Every type of plant cell consists of both the types of ER, smooth ER as well as the rough ER in order to support the transportation of proteins and other set of important molecules within the cells. 

Do plant cells have smooth endoplasmic reticulum?

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) is a tubular network which is a sub-compartment of ER. Let us check if SER is present within the plant cells. 

All the plant cells contain SER which is fairly distributed all across the cytoplasm in an evenly manner. It is essential in the manufacturing of the lipids within the plant cells along with all the products associated with lipid metabolism. 

Do plant cells have rough endoplasmic reticulum?

Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) are the ones with ribosomes attached onto the outer surface. Let us check if RER is present within the plant cells. 

All the plant cells contain RER which is distributed all across the cells but the density is identified to be higher near the regions of the nucleus or the Golgi apparatus. The ribosomes attached to the RER helps in the assembly of various proteins through the translation process within the plant cells. 

Read more about Lysosomes And Ribosomes

Conclusion 

In conclusion, it has been identified that there are no plant cells that do not have endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and it has been engaged in helping the movement of proteins along with other molecules within the cells.

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