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endoplasmic reticulum

noun

Definition of endoplasmic reticulum

: a system of interconnected vesicular and lamellar cytoplasmic membranes that functions especially in the transport of materials within the cell and that is studded with ribosomes in some places — see cell illustration

Examples of endoplasmic reticulum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Our cells have many compartments — lysosomes for breaking down food molecules, for example, and the endoplasmic reticulum for moving proteins around the cell. — Carl Zimmer, STAT, "Shot through with microbes: How our bodies adapt to a hidden world of bacteria," 30 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'endoplasmic reticulum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of endoplasmic reticulum

1947, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for endoplasmic reticulum

endoplasmic reticulum

noun
en·​do·​plas·​mic re·​tic·​u·​lum | \ ËŒen-dÉ™-ˈplaz-mik-ri-ˈti-kyÉ™-lÉ™m\

Kids Definition of endoplasmic reticulum

: a system of cavities and tiny connecting canals that occupy much of the cytoplasm of the cell and functions especially in the movement of materials within the cell

endoplasmic reticulum

noun

Medical Definition of endoplasmic reticulum

: a system of interconnected vesicular and lamellar cytoplasmic membranes that functions especially in the transport of materials within the cell and that is studded with ribosomes in some places — see rough endoplasmic reticulum

More from Merriam-Webster on endoplasmic reticulum

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about endoplasmic reticulum

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