Admission Test for Dental Hygiene (ATDH) Practice

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What distinguishes rough ER from smooth ER?

  1. Involvement in energy production

  2. Presence of ribosomes on the surface

  3. DNA storage features

  4. Function in lipid synthesis

The correct answer is: Presence of ribosomes on the surface

Rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) is distinguished from smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) primarily by the presence of ribosomes attached to its cytoplasmic surface. This ribosomal attachment gives the RER a "rough" appearance under a microscope, a characteristic that's crucial for its primary function in synthesizing proteins. The ribosomes translate mRNA into polypeptides, which then enter the lumen of the RER for proper folding and post-translational modifications. In contrast, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum lacks ribosomes and is involved in different functions, such as lipid synthesis and detoxification processes. The absence of ribosomes makes the surface of SER appear smooth, hence its name. Thus, the presence of ribosomes on the surface is the definitive feature that differentiates rough ER from smooth ER.

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