Difference between Rough and Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum

Endoplasmic reticulum is an interconnected system of membrane bound channels in the cytoplasm. It is present in almost all eukaryotic cells and absent in prokaryotic cells and RBC.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is of two types: Smooth or agranular and rough or granular.

Differences between:

 Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum  and Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum

Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum (SER)

·        Ribosomes - Absent

·        Position - Mainly present near the cell membrane.

·        Occurrence - Mainly found in lipid forming cells e;g., adipocytes (Fat cells), interstitial cells (of testis), adrenal cortical cells, glycogen storing cells of liver, muscle cells, leucocytes etc.

·        Origin - Formed from RER by loss of ribosomes.

·        Component - Mainly formed of tubules.
 Functions of SER

Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum (RER)

·        Ribosomes - Present and is also called α-cytomembrane

·        Position - Mainly present near the nucleus

·        Occurrence - Mainly found in protein forming cells e;g., pancreatic acinal cells, globlet cells, plasma cells(produce antibodies), Nissl’s granules of nerve cells etc.

·        Origin - Formed from nuclear membranes.

·        Component - Mainly formed of cisternae

Functions of RER