The function of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is to produce a fully-functioning protein.Ribosomes residing on the endoplasmic reticulum give it a non-smooth appearance, hence the name Rough ER.
These fully-functioning proteins are the working molecules within every cell that perform most all functional work. Fully-functioning proteins repair muscles, lubricate your brain, provide communication between cells, perform liver function,EVERYTHING!!! They do this by using the common energy currency in the cell, ATP.
This is one of the major advantages that complex cellular species (eukaryotes, including plants, fungi, animals, humans) have. They have the full complex protein manufacturing factory (rough ER, Golgi apparatus, supporting proteins). Bacteria do not have this rough ER, and hence are not equipped with the full protein factory that complex species have.
Fully-functioning proteins can be used inside the cell for its own operation and maintenance AND can also be packaged for transportation out of the cell for use elsewhere.
The steps to making a protein are transcription, translation, and complex folding. All living cells, including bacteria can perform transcription and translation, but only eukaryotic cells can perform the complex folding function. Transcription is the cellular process of making a messenger RNA (mRNA) from the DNA and the subsequent transportation of it out of the nuclear envelope. Translation is the cellular process of making an animo acid chain from the mRNA. Translation occurs on the Rough ER. Complex folding continues in the Golgi apparatus.
The surface of the Rough ER is studded with ribosomes. These ribosomes perform the work of the translation of the mRNA into an amino acid chain. The Rough ER is typically located near, and continuous with, the outer layer of the nuclear envelope, utilizing large double membrane sheets that overlap onto each other. (The Golgi apparatus does not have a continuous membrane with the Rough ER; the started amino acid chains are transported from the Rough ER to the Golgi with little membrane-enclosed transportation pods, called vesicles. Also, the Rough ER continually works with the Golgi apparatus in the production of these fully-functioning proteins, including the marking of its target location and its packaging.)
Ribosomes are a very primal molecular motor, originating from an RNA World. But these ribosomes perform their work very efficiently and all life forms use ribosomes to manufacture proteins. The development of complicated molecular machinery to form fully-functioning, complex, packaged proteins is one of the enablers that allowed the development of the eukaryotic cell and all subsequent, complex life. The development of the eukaryotic cell from bacteria is an active area of investigation by scientists at the current time. Exciting stuff, indeed!!!
Arya Mahajan 4 years, 2 months ago
1Thank You