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Questions and Answers
What is the common characteristic of the beverages mentioned in the passage?
What is the common characteristic of the beverages mentioned in the passage?
What is the chemical structure of alcohols such as ethanol?
What is the chemical structure of alcohols such as ethanol?
What is the primary reason why people consume alcohol in moderation?
What is the primary reason why people consume alcohol in moderation?
What is the chemical process that results in alcohol?
What is the chemical process that results in alcohol?
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What is the main focus of this section of the textbook?
What is the main focus of this section of the textbook?
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What is the classification of ethanol by chemists?
What is the classification of ethanol by chemists?
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Why do many people experience serious problems as a result of their drinking habits?
Why do many people experience serious problems as a result of their drinking habits?
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What is the primary source of energy for the body when consuming alcohol?
What is the primary source of energy for the body when consuming alcohol?
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What is the primary role of yeast in commercial alcoholic beverage production?
What is the primary role of yeast in commercial alcoholic beverage production?
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What is the typical alcohol content by volume in beers?
What is the typical alcohol content by volume in beers?
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What is the approximate percentage of alcohol in a typical distilled spirit, such as whiskey or vodka?
What is the approximate percentage of alcohol in a typical distilled spirit, such as whiskey or vodka?
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How many calories are provided by each gram of alcohol?
How many calories are provided by each gram of alcohol?
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What is the approximate amount of alcohol in a standard drink?
What is the approximate amount of alcohol in a standard drink?
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Where does the detoxification of alcohol begin in the body?
Where does the detoxification of alcohol begin in the body?
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What is the primary site for metabolizing alcohol in the body?
What is the primary site for metabolizing alcohol in the body?
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What is the enzyme that converts alcohol to acetaldehyde in the liver?
What is the enzyme that converts alcohol to acetaldehyde in the liver?
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What is the end product of alcohol metabolism in the liver?
What is the end product of alcohol metabolism in the liver?
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What is the purpose of detoxifying alcohol in the body?
What is the purpose of detoxifying alcohol in the body?
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What happens when a person consumes excessive amounts of alcohol?
What happens when a person consumes excessive amounts of alcohol?
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Why do some people seem to be able to 'hold their liquor' better than others?
Why do some people seem to be able to 'hold their liquor' better than others?
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How does the body eliminate some of the alcohol consumed?
How does the body eliminate some of the alcohol consumed?
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What is the legal limit for intoxication in the United States for automobile operators 21 years of age or older?
What is the legal limit for intoxication in the United States for automobile operators 21 years of age or older?
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Why do women tend to become more impaired than men after drinking the same amount of alcohol?
Why do women tend to become more impaired than men after drinking the same amount of alcohol?
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What is the main function of the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system (MEOS)?
What is the main function of the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system (MEOS)?
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What is the purpose of the liver in the process of alcohol metabolism?
What is the purpose of the liver in the process of alcohol metabolism?
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Why do women have a higher risk of serious health problems when they abuse the same amounts of alcohol as men?
Why do women have a higher risk of serious health problems when they abuse the same amounts of alcohol as men?
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How does the body's detoxification rate affect the BAC?
How does the body's detoxification rate affect the BAC?
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What is the effect of drinking caffeinated beverages on the body's detoxification rate of alcohol?
What is the effect of drinking caffeinated beverages on the body's detoxification rate of alcohol?
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What is the BAC level at which a person is legally intoxicated in most of the United States and Canada?
What is the BAC level at which a person is legally intoxicated in most of the United States and Canada?
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What is the primary reason why regular drinkers need to consume more alcohol to achieve the same effects?
What is the primary reason why regular drinkers need to consume more alcohol to achieve the same effects?
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What percentage of Americans who were 12 years of age or older reported being current alcohol drinkers in 2017?
What percentage of Americans who were 12 years of age or older reported being current alcohol drinkers in 2017?
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, what is the definition of binge drinking for females?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, what is the definition of binge drinking for females?
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What is the classification of a drinker who consumes up to 2 drinks per day?
What is the classification of a drinker who consumes up to 2 drinks per day?
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What is the term for a person who experiences problems at home, work, and school that are associated with their drinking habits?
What is the term for a person who experiences problems at home, work, and school that are associated with their drinking habits?
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What is the term for a person who has an uncontrollable need to drink and is unable to limit their alcohol consumption?
What is the term for a person who has an uncontrollable need to drink and is unable to limit their alcohol consumption?
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What is the term for a person who suffers from withdrawal symptoms, such as shakiness and anxiety, when alcohol is unavailable after a period of heavy drinking?
What is the term for a person who suffers from withdrawal symptoms, such as shakiness and anxiety, when alcohol is unavailable after a period of heavy drinking?
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According to the National Institutes of Health, what percentage of Americans who were 18 years of age or older had an alcohol use disorder (AUD) in 2015?
According to the National Institutes of Health, what percentage of Americans who were 18 years of age or older had an alcohol use disorder (AUD) in 2015?
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What is the term for a person who develops tolerance to alcohol over time?
What is the term for a person who develops tolerance to alcohol over time?
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What is the primary effect of alcohol on the central nervous system?
What is the primary effect of alcohol on the central nervous system?
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What is a possible consequence of continued drinking despite experiencing memory blackouts?
What is a possible consequence of continued drinking despite experiencing memory blackouts?
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What is the estimated number of Americans who die each year as a result of excessive alcohol use?
What is the estimated number of Americans who die each year as a result of excessive alcohol use?
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What is the effect of alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract?
What is the effect of alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract?
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What is the name of the painful and sometimes fatal condition characterized by inflammation and destruction of the pancreas?
What is the name of the painful and sometimes fatal condition characterized by inflammation and destruction of the pancreas?
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What is the effect of alcohol on the risk of cancers of the digestive system?
What is the effect of alcohol on the risk of cancers of the digestive system?
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What is a possible consequence of drinking more than intended?
What is a possible consequence of drinking more than intended?
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What is the effect of alcohol on the cardiovascular system?
What is the effect of alcohol on the cardiovascular system?
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What is a possible consequence of getting into situations while or after drinking that increase the chances of being harmed?
What is a possible consequence of getting into situations while or after drinking that increase the chances of being harmed?
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What is the effect of chronic alcohol abuse on the body?
What is the effect of chronic alcohol abuse on the body?
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What is a typical effect of a BAC level between 0.08 and 0.15%?
What is a typical effect of a BAC level between 0.08 and 0.15%?
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At what BAC level can a person typically lose control over voluntary muscles?
At what BAC level can a person typically lose control over voluntary muscles?
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What is a common sign of extensive brain damage in a chronic heavy drinker?
What is a common sign of extensive brain damage in a chronic heavy drinker?
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What is the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level at which coma and death can occur?
What is the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level at which coma and death can occur?
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What is a serious public health concern associated with binge drinking?
What is a serious public health concern associated with binge drinking?
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What is the term for the practice of trying to consume 21 drinks quickly while celebrating one's 21st birthday?
What is the term for the practice of trying to consume 21 drinks quickly while celebrating one's 21st birthday?
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What is a characteristic of a person suffering from alcohol poisoning?
What is a characteristic of a person suffering from alcohol poisoning?
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What is the result of long-term consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol on neurons in the brain?
What is the result of long-term consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol on neurons in the brain?
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What is a typical effect of a BAC level of 0.20%?
What is a typical effect of a BAC level of 0.20%?
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What is the primary reason why binge drinking is dangerous?
What is the primary reason why binge drinking is dangerous?
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What is the risk of breast cancer for women who consume one or more drinks daily?
What is the risk of breast cancer for women who consume one or more drinks daily?
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What is the effect of combining alcohol with products that contain the pain-reliever acetaminophen?
What is the effect of combining alcohol with products that contain the pain-reliever acetaminophen?
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What is the effect of chronic, excessive alcohol intake on the drinker's nutritional intake and status?
What is the effect of chronic, excessive alcohol intake on the drinker's nutritional intake and status?
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What is the typical symptom of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
What is the typical symptom of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome?
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What is the effect of light to moderate alcohol drinking on bone health, especially among women who are past child-bearing age?
What is the effect of light to moderate alcohol drinking on bone health, especially among women who are past child-bearing age?
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Why is alcohol not a good thirst quencher?
Why is alcohol not a good thirst quencher?
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What happens when a pregnant woman drinks alcohol?
What happens when a pregnant woman drinks alcohol?
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What is the characteristic of a child born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
What is the characteristic of a child born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
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Why do chronic alcoholics often become deficient in certain vitamins and minerals?
Why do chronic alcoholics often become deficient in certain vitamins and minerals?
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What is the effect of excessive alcohol consumption on the liver?
What is the effect of excessive alcohol consumption on the liver?
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What is a possible consequence of alcohol poisoning?
What is a possible consequence of alcohol poisoning?
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What is the primary effect of acetaldehyde on the liver?
What is the primary effect of acetaldehyde on the liver?
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What is the name of the condition that occurs when fat accumulates in liver cells?
What is the name of the condition that occurs when fat accumulates in liver cells?
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What is the effect of chronic alcohol abuse on the liver?
What is the effect of chronic alcohol abuse on the liver?
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What is the effect of moderate alcohol consumption on the cardiovascular system?
What is the effect of moderate alcohol consumption on the cardiovascular system?
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What is the effect of antioxidants and B vitamins in red wine and beer?
What is the effect of antioxidants and B vitamins in red wine and beer?
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What is the increased risk of cancer associated with heavy drinking and smoking?
What is the increased risk of cancer associated with heavy drinking and smoking?
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What is the result of liver failure?
What is the result of liver failure?
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What is the effect of alcohol on the brain?
What is the effect of alcohol on the brain?
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What should you do if you suspect someone has consumed a deadly amount of alcohol?
What should you do if you suspect someone has consumed a deadly amount of alcohol?
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What is a characteristic of children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
What is a characteristic of children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
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Who should avoid consuming alcohol?
Who should avoid consuming alcohol?
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What is the effect of low to moderate amounts of alcohol on strength and endurance?
What is the effect of low to moderate amounts of alcohol on strength and endurance?
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What is a problem that can occur when athletes consume alcohol?
What is a problem that can occur when athletes consume alcohol?
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What should athletes do after exercise to avoid the negative effects of alcohol?
What should athletes do after exercise to avoid the negative effects of alcohol?
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Where can individuals get help for problem drinking or an alcohol use disorder?
Where can individuals get help for problem drinking or an alcohol use disorder?
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What is a characteristic of chronic alcohol abuse?
What is a characteristic of chronic alcohol abuse?
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What is the recommended approach to alcohol consumption during pregnancy?
What is the recommended approach to alcohol consumption during pregnancy?
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What is the effect of alcohol on the body's ability to regulate its temperature?
What is the effect of alcohol on the body's ability to regulate its temperature?
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What should athletes do in the 48 hours before a competitive event?
What should athletes do in the 48 hours before a competitive event?
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Study Notes
Nutrition Matters: Drink to Your Health?
- Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol, a two-carbon compound that is classified as an alcohol.
- Ethanol is a simple two-carbon compound and is a mind-altering drug that is often classified as a food.
Factors that Affect Alcohol Metabolism
- Amount and timing of alcohol consumption
- Personal characteristics such as:
- Sex
- Body size and composition
- Age
- Prior drinking history
- Drinking caffeinated beverages, exercising, or taking vitamins do not increase the rate of alcohol metabolism.
How the Body Processes Alcohol
- Alcohol requires no digestion and readily passes through the tissues lining the inside of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
- Food delays the absorption of alcohol from the stomach and slows the rate at which the drug enters the bloodstream.
- The body detoxifies alcohol by converting it into less damaging compounds.
- The liver is the primary site for metabolizing alcohol.
- The liver relies on two biochemical pathways to metabolize alcohol:
- Alcohol dehydrogenase converts most of the alcohol to acetaldehyde
- Aldehyde dehydrogenase reacts with acetaldehyde to form acetate
Classifying Drinkers
- Moderate drinking: up to 2 drinks/day for males and up to 1 drink/day for females
- Heavy drinking: 15 or more drinks/week for males and 8 or more drinks/week for females
- Binge drinking: 5 or more drinks/occasion for males and 4 or more drinks/occasion for females
Alcohol Use Disorder
- A person with a severe drinking problem has an alcohol use disorder (AUD)
- Signs of AUD:
- Had times when you drank more than you intended
- Wanted to reduce or stop drinking, but couldn't
- Had a strong need or urge to drink
- Felt that drinking or its aftereffects interfered with personal responsibilities
- Continued to drink despite causing trouble with family or friends
- Got into situations while or after drinking that increased the chances of being harmed
Alcohol and Health
- Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant
- Mild alcohol intoxication produces pleasant sensations and relaxed inhibitions
- Consuming large amounts depresses normal motor functioning, including breathing, and can lead to death
- Alcohol use is often involved in motor vehicle accidents, falls, and drownings, as well as acts of violence and abuse
- Chronic alcohol abuse damages every system in the body, particularly the:
- Gastrointestinal system
- Nervous system
- Cardiovascular system
- Chronic alcohol consumption increases the risk of various cancers, including:
- Mouth
- Throat
- Esophagus
- Liver
- Colon
- Rectal cancers### The Effects of Alcohol on the Body
- Long-term consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol can cause neurons to shrink and lead to structural abnormalities in the brain.
- Confusion and memory loss are common signs of extensive brain damage in chronic heavy drinkers.
- Binge drinking is a serious public health concern, especially among youth, as it can lead to driving while drunk, increase the risk of alcoholism, and result in death.
- Binge drinking increases Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) rapidly, leading to alcohol poisoning, which can cause death.
- Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include confusion, coma, slow and irregular breathing, and pale or bluish skin.
Alcohol and the Liver
- Alcohol can damage the liver, leading to fatty liver, which may be reversible if the person avoids alcohol for an extended period.
- Continued alcohol consumption can lead to liver cirrhosis, a condition where the liver cells are destroyed and replaced with scar tissue.
- Liver cirrhosis can cause liver failure and increase the risk of liver cancer.
- Chronic alcohol abuse is a major cause of liver failure among adult Americans.
Alcohol and the Cardiovascular System
- Moderate alcohol consumption can raise HDL cholesterol levels and decrease platelet stickiness, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Some studies suggest that drinking beer and red wine may be healthier than consuming white wine or spirits due to their higher levels of antioxidants and B vitamins.
- However, more research is needed to determine the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on heart health.
Alcohol and Cancer
- Alcohol consumption increases the risk of oral cavity, esophageal, stomach, liver, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer.
- Heavy drinkers who smoke tobacco products have a much greater risk of developing cancers of the oral cavity and esophagus.
- Women who consume one or more drinks daily have a higher risk of breast cancer.
Other Effects of Alcohol
- Alcohol can interact with other drugs, causing serious side effects that do not occur when a drug is consumed alone.
- Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to malnutrition, as it displaces nutrient-dense foods from the diet and increases the risk of deficiencies in vitamins and minerals.
- Chronic alcohol abuse can lead to bone loss and fractures, especially among women who are past child-bearing age.
- Alcohol is not a good thirst quencher, as it is a diuretic that suppresses the production of antidiuretic hormone, leading to dehydration and loss of water and certain vitamins and minerals.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
- When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it can affect the embryo/fetus, leading to developmental abnormalities and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
- Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a devastating form of FASD, characterized by facial and heart defects, as well as extensive, irreversible damage to the nervous system.
Who Should Avoid Alcohol?
- Pregnant women or those trying to conceive
- People who plan to drive or use heavy machinery
- People taking certain over-the-counter or prescription medications
- People with medical conditions that alcohol can aggravate
- Recovering alcoholics
- People younger than 21 years of age
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Description
Learn about the effects of alcohol on the body, including factors that affect its metabolism and how it interacts with other substances. Test your knowledge on the classification of ethanol and its effects on the human body.