You do not consume alcoholic beverages, but your friend does, and he consumes these drinks regularly and in large amounts. If we could examine your liver cells and compare with your friend, would we see a difference in smooth ER and peroxisomes?
> Yes, there would be a difference in our smooth ER and peroxisomes. Alcohol metabolism requires for several smooth ER-produced enzymes. In order to maintain sufficient enzyme activities to metabolize the alcohol, cells will start to generate more smooth endoplasmic reticulum when excessive levels of alcohol are present in the system. Thus, excessive alcohol intake causes stress in the smooth ER which may cause disorders in the major organs such as liver, pancreas, heart, and brain. As peroxisomes play a crucial part in the oxidation of toxic substances, it will also increase when too much alcohol is consumed. Whereas mine would still function normally.