Liver Cell Organelles

by **WANT2BANURSE** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 3:53 am

I have been trying to figure out what organelle in a liver cell of an alcoholic would be more abundant. After about 4 hrs of internet searching, I have learned alot about fatty liver and cirrhosis, even hepatitis. I realize I am suppose to think scientifically for the answer, and all I can come up with is possibly more mitochondria due to the need for more enegy for the liver to carry on its normal functions. These normal functions are increased when the liver is trying to break down more sugar than it can handle. I know the liver will secrete Cytikones in excess, and I know that phagocytosis is inhibited...am I missing something? Would I see more lysosomes because of this or less? I am going crazy. I have done so much reading it is killing me. What am I missing?

by **WANT2BANURSE** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:50 am

ok, so I guess a more direct question would be, if the mitochondria are destroyed because of free radicals, do the cells even have the ability to produce more mitochondria?

by **WANT2BANURSE** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:24 pm

well, further research on my part shows that the average liver cell contains nearly 1700 mitochondria! I did not know this was even possible. I am going to conclude that even a liver that is damaged would have cells that have more mitochondrian than anything else. It just makes sense. Gee, thanks to all those who responded!lol

by **mith** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 1:52 pm

I think mitochondria reproduce independently.

by **WANT2BANURSE** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 7:06 pm

yep, they do. But I did a little more research and found out that the smooth ER is increased due to extra enzyme synthesis....

by **Darby** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 2:27 am

This is a guess - since peroxisomes are involved in metabolic processing, I would think that they would be more prevalent in a processing cell.

by **MrMistery** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 3:43 pm

Smooth ER will be most abundant, because of the increase of special enzymes that metabolise the alcohol, alcohol dehidrogenase. No time to explain the mechanism now, but basically what alcohol dehidrogenase does is convert the alcohol to acetaldehyde and then the acetaldehyde to acetate which forms acetyl-CoA.
Basically, more alcohol-> more alcohol dehidrogenase-> more ER

by **Dustfinger** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:06 am

I think ER and mitochondria are most abundant in liver cells. Is the Golgi-apparell also abundant ? It produces the vesicles carrying the enzymes, doesn't it ?

by **madflow** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:09 pm

i dont know if this mit be some help too u but i know that silymarin Provides a situation for healthy livers so in turn may have something in it that may improve the production of mitochondria u can check it out this is just a suggestion silymarin is found in milk thistle a produce by solaray

by **WANT2BANURSE** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:39 am

Enough already! I stated earlier that with further research I found it was the smooth ER, thanx anyway Mr Mistery. Turned it in last week...

Liver Cell Organelles

Liver Cell Organelles

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