Which organelle is responsible for detoxifying substances in the liver?

The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) plays a crucial role in the detoxification of harmful substances, particularly within liver cells. This organelle is equipped with enzymes that facilitate the metabolism of drugs and toxins, converting them into less harmful compounds that can be more easily excreted from the body. In the liver, the SER is particularly abundant because of the organ's essential function in detoxifying blood and processing various biochemical substances.

In addition to detoxification, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum is also involved in the synthesis of lipids and steroid hormones, further contributing to its vital functions in cellular processes. Its unique structure, which lacks ribosomes that are present on rough endoplasmic reticulum, allows it to engage effectively in these lipid-related processes, distinguishing it from other organelles like lysosomes and the Golgi apparatus, which serve different roles in cellular function.