What Role Do Chemical Bonds Play in the Detoxification Process?
The detoxification process is heavily influenced by the presence and nature of chemical bonds:
- Phase I and Phase II Reactions: Phase I reactions often involve the introduction or unmasking of functional groups via oxidation, reduction, or hydrolysis, altering the chemical bonds and making the compound more polar. Phase II reactions involve conjugation, where new covalent bonds are formed to increase solubility for excretion.
- Enzymatic Activity: Enzymes that facilitate detoxification rely on specific interactions with substrates, which are dictated by the molecule's chemical bonds. For example, the presence of certain bonds might make a substrate more amenable to enzymatic transformation.
