Here's why:
* Free Radicals: These are highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons, making them unstable and damaging to cells.
* Peroxisomes: These small, membrane-bound organelles contain enzymes that break down harmful substances, including free radicals. One important enzyme in this process is catalase, which converts hydrogen peroxide (a toxic byproduct of metabolism) into water and oxygen.
Other organelles involved in detoxification, but not specifically targeting free radicals:
* Liver: This organ plays a major role in detoxification, but it's not a single organelle.
* Endoplasmic reticulum: This organelle can help detoxify certain substances, but not primarily free radicals.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
