Question

Detoxification site in liver is
A) Ribosomes
B) RER
C) Peroxisome
D) None of the above.

Answer 1

Firstly let us understand what is meant by detoxification. Detoxification is the metabolic process in which the toxic substances are converted into less toxic substances or more readily excreted substances.

Complete answer:
The liver plays a vital role in detoxification. It removes the large toxins by filtering the blood along with the synthesis and secretion of bile juice that is full of fat soluble toxins and cholesterol. Endoplasmic reticulum is the cell organelle that is present in most of the eukaryotic cells that forms an interconnected network of flattened, membrane bound sacs called cisternae in rough endoplasmic reticulum and tubular structures in smooth endoplasmic reticulum.

In cells such as hepatocytes, rough endoplasmic reticulum is prominent. They contain millions of ribosomes that assist in the production of proteins. Ribosomes are absent in smooth endoplasmic reticulum. SER assists in lipid synthesis and production of steroid hormone. In addition to this, they also play a vital role in the detoxification of chemicals. They contain the enzymes that catalyzes the series of reactions that help in the detoxification of lipid soluble and other hazardous metabolic substances.

Therefore the correct answer is option (D) none of the above.

Note: Both rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum share many common proteins and also perform certain common functions such as synthesis of some lipids and cholesterol. Different ratios of SER and RER are present in different types of cells based on the activities of the cell.