Endomembrane system 9927 166996746 2007-10-25T15:21:53Z Fluri 554624 Revert to the revision prior to revision 166761138 dated 2007-10-24 15:27:16 by 165.139.186.25 using [[:en:Wikipedia:Tools/Navigation_popups|popups]] {{Endomembrane system diagram}} The '''endomembrane system''' is the system of internal [[biological membrane|membrane]]s within [[eukaryote|eukaryotic cells]] that divide the [[cell (biology)|cell]] into functional and structural compartments, or [[organelle]]s. [[Prokaryote]]s do not have an endomembrane system and thus lack most organelles. The endomembrane system also provides a transport system, for moving molecules through the interior of the cell, as well as interactive surfaces for [[lipid]] and [[protein]] synthesis. The membranes that make up the endomembrane system are made of a lipid bilayer, with proteins attached to either side or traversing them. The following organelles are part of the endomembrane system: *The [[cell membrane]] is a phospholipid bilayer membrane that separates the cell from its environment and regulates the transport of molecules and signals into and out of the cell. *The [[nuclear envelope]] is the membrane around the [[cell nucleus|nucleus]] of the cell. The nucleus itself is not part of the Endomembrane system. *The [[endoplasmic reticulum]] is a synthesis and transport organelle that is an extension of the nuclear envelope. *The [[Golgi apparatus]] acts as the packaging and delivery system for molecules. *[[Lysosome]]s are the "digestive" units of the cell. They utilize [[enzyme]]s to break down macromolecules and also act as a waste disposal system. *[[Vacuole]]s act as storage units in some cells. ''(Vacuoles do not communicate with the organelles of the endomembrane system and therefore are sometimes not considered part of it.)'' *[[Vesicle (biology)|Vesicle]]s are small membrane-enclosed transport units that can transfer molecules between different compartments. [[Category:Cell anatomy]] [[Category:Membrane biology]] [[ar:جهاز الغشاء الداخلي]] [[de:Endomembransystem]] [[es:Sistema endomembranoso]] [[ko:내막계]] [[nl:Endomembraansysteem]] [[zh:內膜系統]]