Questions: Which organelle is involved in the synthesis of cholesterol?
Golgi apparatus
rough endoplasmic reticulum
smooth endoplasmic reticulum
mitochondria
Transcript text: Which organelle is involved in the synthesis of cholesterol?
Golgi apparatus
rough endoplasmic reticulum
smooth endoplasmic reticulum
mitochondria
Solution
The answer is the third one: smooth endoplasmic reticulum.
Explanation for each option:
Golgi apparatus: This organelle is primarily involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles. It is not directly involved in the synthesis of cholesterol.
Rough endoplasmic reticulum: This organelle is studded with ribosomes and is primarily involved in the synthesis of proteins, not lipids like cholesterol.
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum: This is the correct answer. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is involved in the synthesis of lipids, including cholesterol, as well as the metabolism of carbohydrates and detoxification of drugs and poisons.
Mitochondria: These organelles are primarily involved in energy production through the process of oxidative phosphorylation and are not directly involved in cholesterol synthesis.
In summary, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum is the organelle responsible for the synthesis of cholesterol.