Which organelle is involved in breaking down fatty acids and detoxifying harmful substances?

Peroxisomes are organelles that play a crucial role in lipid metabolism, specifically in the breakdown of fatty acids through a process known as β-oxidation. Additionally, peroxisomes are involved in the detoxification of various harmful substances, including hydrogen peroxide, which they convert into water and oxygen using the enzyme catalase. This detoxification process is essential for maintaining cellular health and protecting against oxidative stress.

The central vacuole primarily serves functions related to storage and maintaining turgor pressure in plant cells, rather than breaking down fatty acids or detoxifying substances. Myosin and actin are proteins that are essential for muscle contraction and cellular movements but are not involved in metabolic processes like fatty acid breakdown or detoxification.