Final answer:
Metabolic reactions in a cell are compartmentalized by the endomembrane system, which includes organelles such as the nuclear envelope, ER, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, vesicles, and the plasma membrane.
Step-by-step explanation:
The endomembrane system includes various organelles such as the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, and vesicles, as well as the plasma membrane. These components work together to facilitate the movement of materials throughout the cell, including the modification, packaging, tagging, and transport of membrane lipids and proteins. The endomembrane system is crucial for eukaryotic cells, as it provides an efficient way to transport materials and maintain the chemical environments necessary for the many specialized metabolic reactions to occur within different areas of the cell. It does not include mitochondria or chloroplast membranes. This system is essential to the proper functioning and organization of the eukaryotic cell, ensuring that substances are delivered to the correct locations and that biochemical processes are separated as needed.