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, one would be able to notice a greater number of smooth ER and peroxisomes in the liver cells of my friend compared to my liver cells due to his regular and heightened increase of alcohol consumption. Peroxisomes serve to detoxify and oxidize toxic substances such as alcohol. Similarly, the smooth ER detoxifies drugs, particularly those found in the liver cells. Due to the increased need of his body to break down the excess alcohol, it is expected that the smooth ER and peroxisomes in his liver cells would be more abundant compared to a normal liver cell.