rough endoplasmic reticulum

The rough endoplasmic reticulum (rough ER) is a network of interconnected, membrane-bound sacs within a cell, characterized by the presence of ribosomes on its surface. These ribosomes are responsible for synthesizing proteins, which are then processed and transported by the rough ER. It plays a crucial role in producing proteins needed for the cell's function, especially those destined for secretion or for use in other parts of the body. The rough ER also helps in folding these proteins properly and assembling them into their functional forms.