[Grammar] Exceeded

[shibli.aftab]

"Although there is a latent period of variable duration for the disease, once the hepatic capacity for incorporating copper into ceruloplasmin is exceeded, there may be sudden onset of critical systemic illness."

what is the sentence written in bold letters telling about,

1. Hepatic capacity is increased, causing increased incorporation of copper.

or

2. Hepatic capacity to incorporate copper into ceroplasmin is overwhelmed, so that further incorporation is not possible which lead to disease.

Thanks

 

[SoothingDave]

What do you think? Does "exceeded" mean "increased"?

 

[shibli.aftab]

Exceed means "to be greater than" and "to go beyond a limit set by".
But i can't got the sentence.Please explain.

 

[SoothingDave]

So, "exceeded" does not mean "increased."

The capacity is exceeded means that the limit for how much capacity there is has been passed. If you try to pour 2 liters of water into a 1 liter container, you will exceed the container's capacity.

In your sentence, once the "hepatic capacity" is exceeded, then there will be a sudden onset of the illness.