Metabolic pathways are crucial in determining the toxicity of chemicals. These pathways can either detoxify or activate a chemical. Phase I and Phase II metabolism are essential processes. In Phase I, enzymes like cytochrome P450 oxidize the toxicant, sometimes creating reactive intermediates that are potentially more harmful. Phase II metabolism involves conjugation reactions, making the toxicants more water-soluble for excretion. However, occasionally, these pathways can inadvertently create more toxic compounds, a phenomenon known as bioactivation.
