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The Endomembrane System

The endomembrane system is a group of organelles in eukaryotic cells that work together to modify, package, and transport lipids and proteins. It includes the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and plasma membrane. The endoplasmic reticulum modifies proteins and synthesizes lipids, which are packaged and sorted in the Golgi apparatus before being transported to other organelles or secreted from the cell. Lysosomes break down molecules and digest pathogens, while vacuoles in plant cells store waste and compounds.

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Mark Lorenz Lorilla
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283 views

The Endomembrane System

The endomembrane system is a group of organelles in eukaryotic cells that work together to modify, package, and transport lipids and proteins. It includes the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and plasma membrane. The endoplasmic reticulum modifies proteins and synthesizes lipids, which are packaged and sorted in the Golgi apparatus before being transported to other organelles or secreted from the cell. Lysosomes break down molecules and digest pathogens, while vacuoles in plant cells store waste and compounds.

Uploaded by

Mark Lorenz Lorilla
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The endomembrane system

Introduction
Pancreatic cells secrete digestive enzymes to break down nutrients in the small intestine. To
transport these enzymes, they use an endomembrane system, ensuring they are transported
from their synthesis site to their action site.

What is the endomembrane system?


The endomembrane system is a group of eukaryotic cell membranes and organelles that work
together to modify, package, and transport lipids and proteins. It includes organelles like the
nuclear envelope, lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi apparatus. The plasma
membrane, not technically inside the cell, interacts with endomembrane organelles and
exports secreted proteins.

Endoplasmic Reticulum
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a key role in the modification of proteins and the
synthesis of lipids. It consists of a network of membranous tubules and flattened sacs. The
discs and tubules of the ER are hollow, and the space inside is called the lumen.

Rough ER
The rough endoplasmic reticulum (Rough ER) is a membrane fold that helps modify proteins
that are secreted from the cell. Ribosomes attached to the cytoplasmic surface feed newly
forming proteins into the lumen, which can be fully or anchored in the membrane. Modified
proteins are incorporated into cellular membranes or secreted from the cell. If not, they are
packaged into vesicles for transport and shipped to the Golgi apparatus. The rough ER also
makes phospholipids for other cellular membranes, which are transported when vesicles
form.
Smooth ER
The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (smooth ER) is a continuous, continuous part of the
rough ER, responsible for synthesis of carbohydrates, lipids, hormones, detoxification, and
calcium ion storage. In muscle cells, the sarcoplasmic reticulum stores calcium ions for
muscle fiber contractions. Transitional ER patches are small, smooth patches within the
rough ER.

Golgi Apparatus
Vesicles from the ER undergo sorting, packaging, and tagging in the Golgi apparatus, an
organelle composed of membrane-flattened discs, to ensure their proper distribution and
destination.

The Golgi apparatus, located on the cis face and trans face, receives and processes proteins
and lipids. Transport vesicles fuse with the cis face, allowing them to fuse and empty into the
lumen. Carbohydrate processing involves the gain and loss of branches on the purple
carbohydrate group attached to the protein.
Modified proteins are sorted and packaged into vesicles, which either deliver to the cell's
lysosome or plasma membrane, or fuse with the membrane, releasing secreted proteins
outside the cell. Cells secreting multiple proteins have multiple Golgi stacks, and in plant
cells, the Golgi apparatus also produces polysaccharides.

Lysosomes
Lysosomes are organelles that
contain digestive enzymes and act
as organelle-recycling facilities in
animal cells. They break down old
structures, allowing molecules to be
reused. Lysosomes can also digest
foreign particles, like macrophages,
through phagocytosis. In this
process, a section of the plasma
membrane invaginates the cell,
engulfing a pathogen. The
phagosome, formed by the
invaginated section, fuses with the
lysosome, forming a combined
compartment where digestive
enzymes destroy the pathogen.
Vacuoles
Plants cells are unique because they have a lysosome-like organelle called the vacuole. The
large central vacuole stores water and wastes, isolates hazardous materials, and has enzymes
that can break down macromolecules and cellular components, like those of a
lysosome.33cubed Plant vacuoles also function in water balance and may be used to store
compounds such as toxins and pigments (colored particles).

Lysosomes and Peroxisomes


Lysosomes and peroxisomes are organelles involved in breaking down molecules and
neutralizing hazards to the cell. Lysosomes are small, round blobs, while peroxisomes are
unique organelles with unique properties. Peroxisomes house enzymes involved in oxidation
reactions, producing hydrogen peroxide. They break down fatty acids and amino acids,
detoxify substances, and are not part of the endomembrane system.

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