Question

Describe one way in which alcohol interferes with normal metabolism in the body. Compare and contrast the metabolism of alcohol in men versus women.

Answer 1

Metabolism of alcohol--

alcohol is a toxic to body.10% of it eliminated through breath and sweating while other being metabolised in Liver.

Liver is a primary organ responsible for detoxification of alcohol.Liver cell produces enzymes that acts on alcohol and covert it to ketones.

ALCOHOL--------alcohol dehydrogenase---->ACETALDEHYDE -------acetaldehyde dehydrogenase----->ACETIC ACID

Acetic acid then convert to AceticC0A which enters krebs cycle and forms water ,CO2and energy.

Here aldehyde is a toxic to body.it works on mitocondria and removes hydrogen atom from aldehyde to give acetic acid.

This hydrogen atom combines with NAD+ to form NADH.Excess amount of NADH couse  Acidosis and Hypoglycemia due

to glucose insufficiency which results in Fatty liver,Weight gaining,heart attack.

Metabolism of Alcohol in male vrs female--->

reasons for less active metabolism of alcohol in female compare to male

a)womens have less alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes compare to men

b)average total body water in women is 52%

Average body water in men is 61%

c)hormonal factors-- alcohol rises estrogen level in female.Birth control pills along with estrogen rise cause itoxication.

d)alcohol consumption by female also cause premenstrual hormonal changes.

e)if a woman and man of a same weight drink alcohol.The BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT(BAC) will be more in female as compare to man because of less alcohol dehydrogenase.

f)at menopause-- hormonal changes at menopause may cause intoxication on alcohol consuption