Which organ contains peroxisomes?

• A. Spleen
• B. Brain
• C. Liver
• D. Muscle

Answer: (C)

Peroxisomes are small organelles that house enzymes for lipid metabolism and detoxification. They are especially abundant in liver cells (hepatocytes) because the liver carries out extensive metabolic processing and detoxification. In hepatocytes, peroxisomes perform beta-oxidation of long-chain and very long-chain fatty acids and help neutralize reactive oxygen species with enzymes like catalase, which breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. This heavy metabolic and detoxification role is why the liver is the organ most associated with peroxisomes. While other organs like brain, spleen, and muscle have cells that contain peroxisomes, they are not as characteristic or plentiful as in the liver.