What is the network of membranes found in eukaryotic cells that can be classified as either rough or smooth?

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the correct answer because it is a complex network of membranes within eukaryotic cells, playing critical roles in the synthesis and transport of proteins and lipids. The ER is classified into two distinct types: rough and smooth.

Rough ER is studded with ribosomes on its cytoplasmic surface, giving it a "rough" appearance under an electron microscope. This ribosome presence is crucial for the synthesis of proteins that are either secreted from the cell, incorporated into the cell's plasma membrane, or sent to an organelle.

Smooth ER, on the other hand, lacks ribosomes and is involved in a variety of metabolic processes, including lipid synthesis, detoxification of drugs and poisons, and calcium ion storage.

The other choices do not fit this description. The Golgi apparatus is responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or delivery to other organelles. Lysosomes are membrane-bound organelles that contain digestive enzymes for breaking down waste materials. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, generating adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through cellular respiration, and do not comprise a membrane network similar to the endoplas