Ch 23 - Alcohols Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Presence of food...alcohol absorption due to...gastric emptying.

delays; slowing

On average, how many grams of alcohol can a healthy person metabolize an hour?

7-10g

Following oral consumption, when are peak blood ethanol levels reached?

30 min (correct)

15 min

60 min

45 min

What explains the difference in peak alcohol content for equivalent amounts of alcohol consumed between men and women?

Women have LOWER TOTAL BODY WATER content Signup and view all the answers

What explains the high speed of rise of ethanol concentration in the CNS?

High water content, high blood flow, readily crosses BBB Signup and view all the answers

How many standard drinks can a typical adult metabolize in an hour?

One standard drink Signup and view all the answers

Why do the signs of methanol toxicity appear 6-30 hours post ingestion?

Slow metabolism of methanol Signup and view all the answers

What are the ways alcohol is cleared from the body?

Liver, lungs, kidneys Signup and view all the answers

Alcohol clearance in the body follows...order kinetics.

zero Signup and view all the answers

What does zero-order kinetics in alcohol clearance mean?

Constant amount cleared independent of time and concentration Signup and view all the answers

A typical adult can metabolize...g of alcohol which equals to...standard drinks an hour.

7-10; one Signup and view all the answers

How many major pathways for alcohol metabolism are identified?

Two Signup and view all the answers

How long does it take to metabolize one standard drink for an average person?

One hour Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary pathway for alcohol metabolism?

Alcohol dehydrogenase pathway Signup and view all the answers

What are the sites of alcohol metabolism in the body?

Liver, stomach, brain Signup and view all the answers

Majority of alcohol in the body is metabolized in....

the liver Signup and view all the answers

Which enzyme accumulates in large quantities during ethanol consumption?

NADH Signup and view all the answers

Ethanol is...by ADH to form...and NADH.

dehydrogenated; acetaldehyde Signup and view all the answers

During dehydrogenation of ethanol by ADH, one ion of...is transferred to NAD* to form....

hydrogen; NADH Signup and view all the answers

What is MEOS?

Microsomal Ethanol-Oxidizing System Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of MEOS?

Alternative ethanol metabolism using NADPH and O2 Signup and view all the answers

In chronic ethanol consumption, the activity of MEOS is....

induced Signup and view all the answers

How does ethanol affect myocardial contractility?

Ethanol is cardiodepressant Signup and view all the answers

Ethanol is the example of a...potency drug.

low Signup and view all the answers

What are the hallmarks of Wernicke-Korsakoff's syndrome?

Ataxia, paralysis of external eye muscles, acute confusion Signup and view all the answers

How does chronic ethanol consumption affect acetaminophen toxicity?

Increases acetaminophen toxicity Signup and view all the answers

How does ethanol affect CYP enzymes in the liver?

Ethanol induces the enzymes Signup and view all the answers

What explains increased acetaminophen toxicity in chronic ethanol consumption?

Induction of CYP enzymes by ethanol Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Alcohol Absorption and Metabolism

Presence of food delays alcohol absorption by slowing gastric emptying.
A healthy person metabolizes approximately 7-10 grams of alcohol per hour.
Peak blood ethanol levels are typically reached 30 minutes after oral alcohol consumption.
Differences in first-pass metabolism (metabolism before reaching systemic circulation) and lower total body water content in women explain variations in peak alcohol levels between genders.

Ethanol Concentration and CNS Effects

Rapid rise of ethanol concentration in the central nervous system (CNS) due to high water content in the brain, increased blood flow to the brain, and the ability of ethanol to cross the blood-brain barrier easily.

Alcohol Clearance and Kinetics

The human body metabolizes ONE standard drink of alcohol per hour; clearance follows zero-order kinetics.
Zero-order kinetics indicate that a constant amount of alcohol is eliminated regardless of dose and time.
Alcohol is primarily metabolized by the liver, with approximately 90% undergoing oxidation, while lungs and kidneys also participate in clearance.

Alcohol Metabolism Pathways

Two major pathways for alcohol metabolism involve ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase) and MEOS (microsomal ethanol-oxidizing system).
ADH pathway is the primary metabolism route; during this process, ethanol is converted to acetaldehyde and NADH.
MEOS operates in chronic alcohol consumption, metabolizing ethanol with NADPH and O2, using CYP450 enzymes.

Impact of Chronic Alcohol Consumption

Chronic ethanol consumption induces MEOS activity, enhancing ethanol metabolism.
Ethanol can depress myocardial contractility when consumed in moderate amounts, indicating potential cardiovascular effects.
Long-term alcohol use increases acetaminophen toxicity, making it more dangerous for individuals with chronic consumption.

Wernicke-Korsakoff's Syndrome

Characterized by ataxia (loss of coordination), paralysis of external eye muscles, and acute confusion, indicating neurological implications of alcohol misuse.

Other Relevant Information

Ethanol is classified as a low potency drug, impacting various neurological and physical conditions.
Accumulation of NADH occurs during ethanol metabolism, influencing redox state and metabolic processes in the liver.

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Description

Test your knowledge of alcohols with these flashcards from Chapter 23. Learn about alcohol absorption, metabolism, and blood ethanol levels. Perfect for students studying chemistry or health-related subjects.