Final answer:
Peroxisomes use the enzyme catalase to break down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, thus detoxifying harmful substances like alcohol in the liver. The correct answer is 1) Water and oxygen.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peroxisomes are vital cellular organelles that carry out specific oxidation reactions, which are essential for breaking down fatty acids and amino acids. A crucial role of peroxisomes is the detoxification of poisons, such as alcohol in liver cells. One of the byproducts of these oxidation reactions within peroxisomes is hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which is inherently toxic to cells. Peroxisomes contain the enzyme catalase, which safely converts hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, preventing potential damage to cellular components.
Therefore, the enzyme catalase within peroxisomes breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water (H₂O) and oxygen (O₂). This reaction can be represented by the following chemical equation: 2H₂O₂ → 2H₂O + O₂. Therefore, the correct answer is 1) Water and oxygen.