Multiple Choice
Which organelle is primarily responsible for inactivating toxins (e.g., by oxidizing harmful substances and breaking down hydrogen peroxide)?
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13. Intracellular Protein Transport
Peroxisomes
Multiple Choice
Which organelle is primarily responsible for breaking down fatty acids (lipids) via β-oxidation and detoxifying hydrogen peroxide in eukaryotic cells?
A
Smooth endoplasmic reticulum
B
Peroxisome
C
Lysosome
D
Golgi apparatus
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the function described: breaking down fatty acids via β-oxidation and detoxifying hydrogen peroxide.
Recall that β-oxidation is a metabolic process where fatty acids are broken down to generate acetyl-CoA, which occurs in specific organelles.
Understand that peroxisomes are specialized organelles in eukaryotic cells responsible for carrying out β-oxidation of very long-chain fatty acids and also contain enzymes like catalase to detoxify hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).
Compare other organelles: Smooth endoplasmic reticulum is involved in lipid synthesis and detoxification but not primarily β-oxidation; lysosomes digest macromolecules; Golgi apparatus modifies and sorts proteins and lipids.
Conclude that the organelle matching both functions—β-oxidation of fatty acids and detoxification of hydrogen peroxide—is the peroxisome.
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