Alcohol Production and History

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary organic compound referred to when discussing alcohol?

Ethanol (correct)

Butanol

Methanol

Isopropanol

What process do yeast undergo to produce ethanol?

Distillation

Photosynthesis

Oxidation

Fermentation (correct)

Which syndrome is characterized by anterograde amnesia and confabulation due to thiamin deficiency?

Wernicke's encephalopathy

Dementia

Alzheimer's disease

Korsakoff's syndrome (correct)

What is a serious risk of chronic alcohol use related to liver health?

Cirrhosis Signup and view all the answers

What effect does alcohol have on genital arousal according to the content?

Reduces arousal Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cancers is increased by chronic alcohol use?

Liver cancer Signup and view all the answers

What condition is associated with upregulation of glutamate leading to excitotoxicity?

Alcohol dementia Signup and view all the answers

Which metabolic byproduct of alcohol is a known carcinogen that can damage DNA?

Acetaldehyde Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of low sperm count in males due to alcohol use?

Gynecomastia Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the distinct facial characteristics of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?

Thin upper lip Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential risk associated with consuming 12 mg of alcohol per day during pregnancy?

Low birth weight Signup and view all the answers

How does moderate alcohol consumption affect coronary heart disease risk according to the content?

Reduces risk by up to 25% Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about alcohol's effect on heart disease?

Irregular heavy drinking increases heart risk Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of Disulfiram (Antabuse) in treating alcohol withdrawal?

Inhibit aldehyde dehydrogenase Signup and view all the answers

What is an effect of heavy alcohol consumption on older adults as mentioned in the content?

Decreased cognitive function Signup and view all the answers

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome occurs in approximately what percentage of births to alcoholic mothers?

0.5-2% Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Alcohol

Alcohol is an organic compound, a hydrocarbon chain with a hydroxyl group (OH).
Ethanol is the type most often discussed.
Alcohol molecules are hydrophilic (water-loving) and dissolve easily in water.
They cannot be ionized.

How is alcohol produced?

Yeast metabolizes sugars to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide.
The type of beverage depends on the source of sugar.
For example, grape juice makes wine, and grains make beer.
Fermented alcohol generally has less than 15% alcohol content.
Distilled spirits have a higher alcohol content (40-50% by volume).
Distilling different fermented mixtures creates different spirits.

Origin and History

Jugs from 3000 BCE in China held wine made from rice, honey, and fruit.
The Book of the Dead (3000 BCE) mentions fermented grains (beer).
Wine was involved in the fall of the Roman Empire, where lead storage vessels were used, increasing lead poisoning.
Distilled spirits became notorious in England in the 1500s.
Irish produced usquebaugh (whiskey), and gin became popular in 1600s.

History of Alcohol in the U.S.

Temperance movements in the U.S. resulted in declines in alcohol consumption between 1830 and 1860.
Dr. Benjamin Rush promoted temperance as a disease of will.
Prohibition (1920-1933) was enacted by the 18th Amendment but was largely unenforceable.
Organized crime thrived during Prohibition.
The 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition.
Concerns over health and moral issues have led to declines in consumption.

Measuring Alcohol Levels

Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) or Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is measured in mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood or as a percentage (e.g., .08% = 80 mg/100 ml).
BAL is also measured in millimoles of alcohol per liter of blood.
BACs are generally measured by breath alcohol concentration (BrAC).
The legal limit for driving varies.

Blood Alcohol Level Chart

Charts display BAC levels based on weight and drinks consumed.
The rate at which alcohol is metabolized is approximately 0.015% per hour.
.08% and .10% are relevant values for driving laws.

Defining a Standard Drink

A standard drink usually involves a specific volume of alcoholic beverages with a specific percentage of alcohol content.
These standard drinks measure alcohol content in different drinks.

Behavioral and Physical Effects of Alcohol

Specific BAC levels correspond with various behavioural and physical effects.
Low BAC levels are associated with relaxation, happiness, and mild motor impairment.
Levels closer to .10 cause motor function and slowing of reaction time.
At higher levels, sensory deficits and impaired motor control occur.
A BAC of .3 to .5 can result in coma and death.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Alcohol is a small molecule easily dissolving in water. It is absorbed in the small intestine, but some in the stomach (20%). First-pass metabolism occurs in the stomach (20–30%).
Factors affecting absorption: -Food delays gastric emptying. -H2 Receptor antagonists (e.g., Zantac) can increase BAL. -Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) inhibits alcohol metabolism. -Gender: women have lower alcohol dehydrogenase levels, leading to higher BAL at similar doses -Effervescence (bubbliness): increases absorption. -Concentration: higher concentrations absorb faster, but slows down emptying in the stomach..
Distribution: Alcohol dissolves readily in water and is distributed based on water content in tissues; does not dissolve in fat.
Elimination: 90 - 98% is metabolized by the liver. -Alcohol dehydrogenase converts alcohol to acetaldehyde. -Aldehyde dehydrogenase converts acetaldehyde to acetyl coenzyme A, to water, and CO2.

Effects of Alcohol

Sleep: Alcohol initially reduces time to fall sleep and quality NREM sleep but leads to REM rebound and wakefulness in alcoholics, causing insomnia.
Body: Alcohol causes dilation in peripheral blood vessels, flushing , and increase urination by inhibiting ADH.
Perception: Alcohol decreases visual acuity, raises senses’ thresholds for stimuli (smell, taste, and pain).
Motor Performance: Alcohol slows reaction time, coordination deficits, and effect on balance from the inner ear organs (nystagmus).
Memory: Alcohol impairment of attention, encoding, and memory storage, retrieval.
- Grayout
- En bloc blackout
Driving: Alcohol is associated with a higher probability of traffic accidents, especially at higher levels of intoxication; underestimation of risk exists on the curve for inexperienced and older drivers.
Disinhibition: Alcohol decreases regard for personal risk, long-term consequences; more likely to disregard social norms for immediate gratification.

Tolerance and Withdrawal

Acute Tolerance: Alcohol’s effects are lower at lower concentrations, increasing at higher levels.
Chronic Tolerance: This happens as the body adapts by stimulating enzymes.
Withdrawal: Two stages: Early (agitation, muscle cramps, and nausea) and Late (confusion, hallucinations, and delirium). Note: death is possible in severe cases.

Self-Administration

Non-humans: Animals will drink more alcohol if sweet flavour is added, and will learn to ingest alcohol voluntarily.
Humans; Varies by culture and gender:
Finland: binge drinking.
France: consuming with meals.
Males drink more frequently; Females consume with less frequency.
Age: consumption decreases with age.

Genetic and Biological Models

The models illustrate genetic vulnerability factors and how these factors impact an individual's response to alcohol.

Predisposition factors: a fourfold increased risk for alcoholism if first-degree relative is alcoholic. Twin studies demonstrate a concordance rate.
Lower risk: Asian flush due to acetaldehyde metabolism rate.
Greater risk: A low response to alcohol, impulsivity, and sensation-seeking personality, psychiatric symptoms.
FHP vs FHN: Family history positive versus negative, is an increased risk marker, leading to a lower response to alcohol for the positive males.
Loss of control: This is not a well-supported model because alcoholics can adjust intake.

Consequences of Alcohol Use

Acute Consequences: Alcohol poisoning can cause loss of consciousness, leading to death.
Chronic Consequences -Liver damage: Chronic use can lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver). -Neuropsychological syndromes: Korsakoff's syndrome results from thiamin deficiency (B1), leading to conditions such as amnesia and disorientation. -Cancer: Higher risks of mouth, throat, and liver cancer due to acetaldehyde metabolite damaging DNA and impacting the effect of carcinogens in smoke. -Reproductive issues: Men show low sperm count, impotence, and shrinking testicles. Women show amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea. -Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS): A teratogenic effect with resulting intellectual disabilities, poor coordination, loss of muscle tone, and unusual facial characteristics.

Benefits of Alcohol

Moderate consumption (1-2 drinks per day) relates to lower risk of certain diseases (coronary heart disease, Type II diabetes, and ischemic stroke). HDL (good cholesterol) is increased, and LDL (bad cholesterol) is reduced.
Benefits are for individuals older than 60.

Treatment

Pharmacological treatments: include Disulfiram (Antabuse), Naltrexone (Antabuse), and Acamprosate.
Support groups: Alcoholics Anonymous offer fellowship, support, and a structure for staying sober. AA has an effectiveness rate, but most dropout in the first year.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of alcohol, including its organic chemistry, production methods, and historical significance. Learn about the role of yeast in fermentation, the differences between fermented and distilled beverages, and the impact of alcohol on various cultures throughout history.