Week 4 sER Module

Question 1

what is the structural difference between sER and rER

Answer 1

smooth ER lacks attached ribosomes.

Question 2

what is the role of sER?3

Answer 2

1. synthesize lipids (FAs, phsopholipids, steroid hormones)
2. store calcium
3. contains detoxifying enzymes

Question 3

what is the role of the sER in the cells of the adrenal cortex?

Answer 3

produce steroid hormones

Question 4

what is the role of sER in skeletal muscle cells?

Answer 4

sER is called the sarcoplasmic reticulum. sER sequesters the calcium needed for muscle contraction. Calcium released in response to T-tubule signaling (depolarization)

Question 5

what is the role of sER in hepatocytes?

Answer 5

sER contains a variety of detoxifying enzymes anchored in the sER membrane (Cytochrome P450)

Question 6

what alterations/modifications does the detoxifying enzymes of liver cells make?

Answer 6

make hydrophobic compounds hydrophilic so they can be excreted.

Question 7

what two compounds/drugs are detoxified in the sER of the liver? (high yield)

Answer 7

ethanol and barbiturates