A network of membranes and channels in cells involved in protein synthesis and transport; the endoplasmic reticulum.
From Greek 'ergastikon' (relating to work) plus 'plasma' (formed substance), literally 'working substance.' The term describes the cellular machinery that 'works' to produce proteins.
Scientists named the endoplasmic reticulum 'ergastoplasm' because it's where the cell does its manufacturing work—making proteins—but the older name is rarely used now, replaced by more descriptive, modern terminology.
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