Which structure is most directly involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification and would appear under EM as a network of smooth tubular membranes lacking ribosomes?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
Smooth ER consists of membrane tubules without ribosomes; it synthesizes lipids and detoxifies certain compounds — this ultrastructural appearance helps distinguish it from rough ER.
Keep practicing
More Ultrastructure of cells questions
- Which ultrastructural feature would you expect to see in a cell that is highly active in secretion of glycosylated proteins (e.g., secretor…
- What advantage does TEM (transmission electron microscopy) provide over light microscopy for studying cell ultrastructure?
- Which of the following correctly matches organelle and its primary function, based on ultrastructural knowledge?
- Which organelle would you expect to be sparse or small in a cell that does not engage in lipid synthesis or detoxification (e.g., mature re…
- Which ultrastructural region of a eukaryotic cell is continuous with the perinuclear space and forms an extensive network throughout the cy…
- Which ultrastructural observation would most strongly suggest a cell is highly metabolically active and producing large amounts of ATP?