What organ is responsible for detoxifying chemicals and metabolizing drugs?

The liver plays a crucial role in detoxifying chemicals and metabolizing drugs within the body. This organ contains specialized cells called hepatocytes that are adept at breaking down toxins and converting them into less harmful substances.

In addition to detoxification, the liver also processes nutrients absorbed from the digestive tract. It transforms various substances into forms that can be eliminated from the body or utilized for energy and storage. The liver's complex network of blood vessels allows for the efficient uptake of these substances, making it a central hub for metabolic processes.

While the kidneys are also involved in detoxifying the body by filtering blood and excreting waste products through urine, they do not primarily metabolize drugs. The stomach is primarily involved in digestion, breaking down food into smaller molecules, rather than detoxifying chemicals. The pancreas plays a significant role in producing digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin but is not primarily responsible for detoxification or drug metabolism.

Therefore, the liver is the organ primarily associated with detoxifying chemicals and metabolizing drugs, making it the correct answer.