Fundamentals of Microbiology

1.3.1.5 Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi bodies

The endoplasmic reticulum or ER is a maze of parallel membranous tubules and flattened sacs surrounding the nucleus that connects with the nuclear membrane and runs throughout the cytoplasm. The functions are

1. provide a surface area for protein and lipid synthesis;
   
2. form a pathway for transporting molecules within the cell; and
   
3. provide a storage area for molecules the cell has synthesized.