How does the body try to remove or recognise poison?

Question

How does the body try to remove or recognise poison?

Answer 1

There are enzymes in the liver that are specifically designed to be 'garbage disposals'. They take virtually any substance they are given, and degrade it. Because these enzymes are carefully controlled in liver cells, they are not free to run rampant and chew up just any old part of the body. One important class of these enzymes is called "Cytochrome P450". They are responsible for breaking down your body's extra hormones and drugs like aspirin.

Once the chemical is degraded, it can be connected to another molecule that makes sure it gets dumped into the urine to be eliminated.

Some poisons, unfortunately, are so fast acting that they cannot be eliminated fast enough, like tetanus and botulism, or certain animal venoms.