The liver is a vital organ responsible for processing and eliminating toxins. It uses a two-phase metabolic process: Phase I (functionalization) and Phase II (conjugation). During Phase I, enzymes such as cytochrome P450 modify toxic substances, often converting them into more reactive forms. Phase II involves conjugation, where the liver adds molecules to the reactive substances to make them more water-soluble, facilitating their excretion. Understanding these phases is critical for assessing how different compounds might cause liver injury.
