What is the detox process in which the body breaks down toxic substances called?

The detox process in which the body breaks down toxic substances is best described as metabolism. Metabolism encompasses all biochemical processes that occur within an organism, including the conversion of substances like drugs and toxins into less harmful compounds. This includes enzymatic reactions that transform these substances into more water-soluble forms to facilitate their elimination from the body.

While filtration and excretion are related processes that involve removing waste from the body, they do not specifically refer to the chemical alteration or breakdown of toxic substances. Filtration typically pertains to the initial removal of waste products from the blood, whereas excretion is the process of expelling those waste products from the body, primarily through urine or feces. Physiochemical processes encompass a range of chemical and physical interactions but do not specifically denote the biological conversion of toxins. Thus, metabolism is the correct term for the comprehensive process of breaking down toxic substances in the body.