Which structure is responsible for detoxifying harmful substances in the cell?

The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) plays a crucial role in detoxifying harmful substances within the cell. One of its primary functions is the metabolism of various drugs and toxins, which involves chemical modifications that make these substances more water-soluble and easier to excrete from the body. The SER contains enzymes that facilitate these detoxification processes and help in the synthesis of lipids, which can also aid in the processing of certain toxins.

In contrast, lysosomes are primarily involved in the breakdown of waste materials and cellular debris, while the Golgi apparatus is primarily responsible for modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins and lipids for secretion or use within the cell. The rough endoplasmic reticulum, studded with ribosomes, is mainly involved in protein synthesis and processing, rather than detoxification. Thus, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum stands out as the key structure in detoxifying harmful substances in the cell.