What substance do peroxisomes help to detoxify in the cell?

Peroxisomes play a crucial role in cellular detoxification, primarily by breaking down hydrogen peroxide, a harmful byproduct of various metabolic processes. This detoxification process is essential because excess hydrogen peroxide can lead to oxidative stress, which can damage cellular structures, proteins, and DNA.

Peroxisomes contain enzymes such as catalase, which facilitates the conversion of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, thereby neutralizing its potential harm. This function is vital for maintaining cellular health and preventing oxidative damage, making oxidative stress the correct answer in this case.

In contrast, while peroxisomes may interact with various compounds and metabolites in the cell, they are not primarily involved in the detoxification of carbohydrates, proteins, or pesticides. Carbohydrates are generally metabolized within other organelles, proteins are processed mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum and the proteasome, and pesticides would typically be dealt with via different pathways, such as biotransformation in the liver in animals, rather than a direct function of peroxisomes.