Does Endoplasmic Reticulum Have Membrane? 7 Complete Facts

The endoplasmic reticulum is a membranous network of eukaryotic cells that extends throughout the cytoplasm. Let us discuss if it has a membrane.

The endoplasmic recticulum has membrane that typically constitutes more than half of the total membrane of an average animal cell. It is a well-developed electron microscopic network of interconnected cisternae, tubules and vesicles present throughout, especially in the endoplasm.

Let us discuss why ER has a membrane, where it is located, what kind of membrane ER has, and many more questions in this article.

Why does endoplasmic reticulum have membrane?

The membrane of endoplasmic reticulum resides near the presence or attached to the nucleus. Let us check why they have a membrane.

The endoplasmic reticulum has a membrane because it contributes to the formation of nuclear membranes. Towards the end of cell division i.e. telophase, the nuclear membrane starts reforming around the daughter chromosomes at two poles.

Where is endoplasmic reticulum membrane located?

The protected function of rough ER is to secrete and produce different proteins caused by amino acids-polypeptide strands. Let us learn where the membrane of ER is located.

The endoplasmic reticulum has a complex of bio-membranes and that membrane is located mostly around the cell nucleus. It has many roles in eukaryotic cells including the production of proteins in ribosomes of the rough ER.

800px Nucleus ER golgi.svg
Structure of Endoplasmic Reticulum from Wikipedia
1 Nucleus   2 Nuclear pore   3 Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)   4 Smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER)   5 Ribosome on the rough ER   6 Proteins that are transported   7 Transport vesicle   8 Golgi apparatus   9 Cis face of the Golgi apparatus   10 Trans face of the Golgi apparatus   11 Cisternae of the Golgi apparatus

Does endoplasmic reticulum have double membrane?

The endoplasmic reticulum show some connection to the plasma membrane and most of its function is mediated by vesicles. Let us explore if it has a double membrane.

The endoplasmic reticulum does not have a double membrane instead, it has a single membrane. Most of the organelles only have one membrane (cell membrane made up of cytoplasm normally). Examples of these are lysosomes, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi bodies.

What kind of membrane does endoplasmic reticulum have?

The endoplasmic reticulum is connected with one side to the cell membrane and the other to the nuclear envelope. Let us learn what kind of membrane it has.

Endoplasmic reticulum has a type of plasma membrane that is mainly attached to the nuclear membrane. The membrane also forms a lumen or single internal space also known as an ER cisternal space. Such a space continues till the lumen that looks like the outgrowth of the nuclear membrane of ER system.

0313 Endoplasmic Reticulum a en 2
RER and SER from Wikimedia

At telophase, the nuclear envelope is reformed with the help of vesicles of ER. It is also a part of the cytoplasmic vesicular system and also acts as a continuous system as well.

Does smooth endoplasmic reticulum have a membrane?

The ER is a large network of bio-membranes connected directly to the nucleus. Let us see if the smooth endoplasmic reticulum has a membrane.

The smooth endoplasmic reticulum has a membrane-bound network of tubules without any ribosomes. Thus, it does not synthesize proteins but is actively involved in the synthesis of lipids, steroids, and thus several hormones.

The membrane of smooth endoplasmic reticulum also plays a very important role in the removal of toxic substances.

Does rough endoplasmic reticulum have a membrane?

RER plays a role in protein production and processing. It is called “rough” due to the presence of membrane-bound ribosomes on its surface. Let us check if it has a membrane.

The rough endoplasmic reticulum possess membrane because it is mainly responsible to the formation of a plasma membrane rather than smooth endoplasmic reticulum. RER is present throughout the cell but the density is highest near the nucleus and Golgi body.

Most cells have a less number of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in it, but they have to produce plasma membrane (and other membranes) constantly. It is the membrane bound rough endoplasmic reticulum that does it.

Conclusion

From the above article, it can be concluded that the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum possesses one desired structure that plays significant role as a defense mechanism as well as in protein transportation.

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