Eukaryotic Cell Structure: Overview of Internal Membrane-Bound Organelles

THE ENDOMEMBRANE SYSTEM: AN OVERVIEW

The overall purpose of this Learning Object is to learn what constitutes the endomembrane system in eukaryotic cells.

Eukaryotic cells possess what is referred to as an internal membrane system or endomembrane system that compartmentalizes the cell for various different but interrelated cellular functions. Some of these internal membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and the endoplasmic reticulum, have direct connections to one another. Other organelles, such as the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex transport materials to other organelles in vesicles. A vesicle buds off of one organelle and transports materials when it fuses with another membrane. There are other membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria and chloroplasts that are self contained and are not generally thought of as part of the endomembrane system.

We will now look at the various structures that make up the endomembrane system, including the nucleus, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the Golgi complex.

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