ACC Biology Accuplacer Practice Test – Full Exam Prep 2025

The rough endoplasmic reticulum (Rough ER) is the structure in a cell that is responsible for the transport and storage of ribosomes, which are essential for protein synthesis. The Rough ER is characterized by its studded appearance due to the presence of ribosomes attached to its cytoplasmic surface. These ribosomes synthesize proteins, which are then transported into the lumen of the Rough ER for folding and processing. This structure not only aids in the synthesis and initial processing of proteins but also plays a role in the transport of these proteins to other locations within the cell or outside of it, such as to the Golgi apparatus for further modification and sorting.

The rough ER is integral to the production and management of proteins, as it connects the ribosomes that create these proteins with other cellular structures that will utilize or modify them, making it essential for the cell's overall function. Other cell structures, such as the smooth ER, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria, have distinct roles that do not involve the primary transport and storage of ribosomes.