Introduction

The endomembrane system (endo = “within”) is a group of membranes and organelles in eukaryotic cells that works together to modify, package, and transport lipids and proteins. It includes the nuclear envelope, lysosomes, and vesicles, and the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, which we will cover shortly. Although not technically within the cell, the plasma membrane is included in the endomembrane system because, as you will see, it interacts with the other endomembranous organelles. The endomembrane system does not include either mitochondria or chloroplast membranes.

Learning

The following video explains the Endomembrane System.

Summary

The endomembrane system within eukaryotic cells includes the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi Apparatus, lysosomes and other vesicles. The Golgi Apparatus appears as a series of flattened membrane-enclosed sacs which serve to process and modify materials (proteins and membranes) which are produced in the ER.  Substances which are modified in the Golgi are sorted and packaged into vesicles for transport elsewhere in the cell.

The Golgi Apparatus serves as the shipping department for the cell.

Sources:

“The Endomembrane System.” YouTube, Uploaded by RicochetScience, Nov 16, 2015. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/Fcxc8Gv7NiU