Question

What in real life is like a smooth ER?

Answer 1

Hint: The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) performs the eukaryotic cell's transportation mechanism, as well as acts as a host of other functions such as protein folding. Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) are two subunits of this type of organelle.

Complete answer:
In both animal and plant cells, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, or smooth ER, is an organelle. An organelle is a specialized sub-unit of a cell with a specific purpose. The smooth ER's key role is to synthesize cellular products such as hormones and lipids. It also transports certain items throughout the cell and across the organism. The smooth ER also processes toxins and controls and releases calcium ions. It is called ‘smooth' to differentiate it from rough ER, which has ribosomes on its surface for protein synthesis. Each organelle in a cell's cytoplasm is responsible for a specific role. Both rough and smooth ER produce different products for the cell. Smooth ER also manufactures or distributes goods based on its geographic area. Calcium ions are released in muscle cells because muscle contraction needs them. Smooth ER produces steroid hormones in cells of the endocrine system, which is responsible for hormone regulation.

Note:
Smooth ER is a tube-like structure with a long network of folded tubes. It's similar to a pipeline with a lot of bends and turns. The lumen, the interior of the smooth ER, is surrounded by a phospholipid membrane, similar to the membrane that encloses the entire cell. The number of smooth ER units in a cell is determined by the cell type and its manufacturing requirements. These units are found in the cytoplasm, the gel-like material that makes up the inside of a cell, and are often linked to a rough endoplasmic reticulum assembly. While smooth and rough ER are often found together, they can be differentiated by their shape and the presence or absence of ribosomes on the surface.