Question

An animal cell that contains an extensive network of ________ is likely to be an important source of lipids and/or hormones important in the development and functioning of that animal.

A) Golgi apparatus
B) Endoplasmic reticulum
C) Lysosomes
D) Mitochondria

Answer 1

The correct answer is B) Endoplasmic reticulum, with the smooth endoplasmic reticulum being particularly important for the production of lipids and steroid hormones within animal cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

The answer to the question 'An animal cell that contains an extensive network of ________ is likely to be an important source of lipids and/or hormones important in the development and functioning of that animal' is B) Endoplasmic reticulum.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a major site of lipid synthesis and, specifically, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) is involved in synthesizing phospholipids, cholesterol, and steroid hormones.

Moreover, the SER is responsible for the detoxification of medications and poisons and the storage of calcium ions, which are necessary for various cellular processes. Cells with a high concentration of SER typically engage in the production of hormones and are central to lipid metabolism.