The cellular organelles responsible for detoxification in the cell include peroxisomes and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum (smooth ER). Peroxisomes play a crucial role in breaking down fatty acids through β-oxidation and are involved in detoxifying various metabolic byproducts, including hydrogen peroxide, which is a harmful byproduct of cellular metabolism. They contain enzymes such as catalase that convert hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, thereby preventing potential cellular damage.
The smooth endoplasmic reticulum is also integral to detoxification processes. It is involved in lipid synthesis and plays a significant role in metabolizing carbohydrates and detoxifying drugs and poisons. This organelle helps to modify substances into less harmful forms that can be more easily excreted from the body.
Together, peroxisomes and smooth ER work to maintain cellular health by removing potentially harmful substances, making them critical for detoxification processes within the cell.