Cell Biology
Endoplasmic Reticulum
A network of membranes within cells that synthesizes, processes, and transports proteins and lipids. The rough ER (with ribosomes) makes proteins; the smooth ER makes lipids and detoxifies.
Biological Context
The ER is the largest organelle in most cells. Proteins made in the rough ER are folded, modified, and quality-checked before being shipped to their destinations. The smooth ER also stores calcium and metabolizes drugs and toxins.
Business Application
The ER is like an organization's operations and quality control department—processing raw outputs into finished form, checking quality, and routing products to where they're needed.