Which organ is primarily responsible for detoxifying harmful substances in an animal's body?

The liver is the organ primarily responsible for detoxifying harmful substances in an animal's body. It carries out this critical function by metabolizing toxins and drugs, converting them into less harmful compounds that can be excreted from the body. The liver plays a significant role in various biochemical processes, including the regulation of metabolism, production of biochemicals necessary for digestion, and the storage of vitamins and minerals.

While the kidneys filter waste products from the blood and play an essential role in excretion, they primarily remove liquid waste and regulate fluid balance rather than detoxifying substances on a biochemical level. The heart is crucial for pumping blood throughout the body, ensuring that tissues receive adequate oxygen and nutrients, but it does not perform detoxification. The lungs are involved in gas exchange, removing carbon dioxide and facilitating oxygen uptake, rather than detoxifying substances. Therefore, the liver's unique metabolic functions make it the primary organ for detoxification.