Answer:
a) Ribosomes
b) Please find the justification for the answer in (a) below.
Explanation:
According to this question, Hepatitis C is a virus that causes liver disease by attacking the liver. However, a REDUCTION IN ALBUMIN, which is a protein that regulates oncotic pressure of blood in humans- a process necessary for the regulation of fluids in vessels of the body and tissue repair, has been found to have to do with liver disease.
Since ALBUMIN is a protein produced by the liver, which when diseased causes a reduction to the blood-albumin level, the organelle in liver cells that is most likely being affected by hepatitis C is the RIBOSOME. This is because the RIBOSOME is the organelle/site for PROTEIN SYNTHESIS in any cell. Hence, the ribosome organelle of the liver cells are responsible for synthesis of Albumin protein.
Hence, a diseased liver due to attack by Hepatitis C virus means an attack on the RIBOSOMES of the liver cells producing the protein.
