Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum: a multipurpose organelle By: Kelly Anne Rafferty and James Leedy

Found in a variety of cell types and it serves different functions in each The Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum is made up of tubules and vesicles –B–Branch to form a network

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum The network of SER allows increased surface area for the action or storage of key enzymes and the products of these enzymes

What are its functions? To manufacture lipids such as cholesterol and carbohydrates such as glycogen Ex: in muscle cells, the vesicles and tubules serve as a store for calcium –R–Released as one step in the contraction process Ex: in adrenal cortical cells, SER metabolize steroids and produce final steroid hormones

What if the SER malfunctions? Increase the toxicity of commonly used medicines