Explain how the structure of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) differs between the rough ER and the smooth ER, and how these structural differences relate to their functions.
Instructor solution
The rough ER has ribosomes attached to its surface, giving it a 'rough' appearance, and is involved in protein synthesis and modification. The smooth ER lacks ribosomes and is involved in lipid synthesis, detoxification, and calcium ion storage. These structural differences allow the rough ER to efficiently produce and process proteins, while the smooth ER specializes in lipid-related functions and detoxification processes.
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