Which mechanism is NOT part of the liver's detoxification process?

The liver plays a crucial role in detoxification, employing several mechanisms to process and eliminate harmful substances from the body. Binding compounds to proteins helps to neutralize toxins and prepare them for further processing. Breaking down compounds into simpler substances involves metabolic pathways that convert harmful substances into non-toxic forms. Chemical modification alters compounds to make them more water-soluble, facilitating their excretion through urine or bile.

Storing toxins for later excretion, however, is not a primary mechanism of the liver's detoxification process. While the liver can store certain substances, including some toxins, the focus of its detoxification role is active processing and elimination rather than retention. Storing toxins could potentially lead to accumulation and increased toxicity, which is not aligned with the liver's functions aimed at maintaining homeostasis and protecting the body from harm. As a result, the correct answer identifies a mechanism that does not accurately reflect the liver's role in detoxification.