Chapter 7

Where alcohol is absorbed (it doesn't need to be digested)

small intestine: upper portion for main absorption mouth and esophagus: small amounts

fetal alcohol syndrome:

A set of physical and mental abnormalities to women who abused alcohol during pregnancies poor growth abnormal facial features mental retardation

alcoholism/alcoholic:

An addiction to the consumption of alcohol or compulsive behavior that leads to alcohol dependency alcoholic: a person suffering from alcoholism

How much beer, wine or liquor counts as one "standard drink"

Beer (12 oz) Wine (5oz) liquor (1.5 oz) all contain 15 g (1 tbsp) of pure alcohol

Why your body prioritizes the metabolism of alcohol over that of macronutrients

Body cannot store alcohol. In order to prevent alcohol accumulating and destroying the cells, your orangs breaks down to remove alcohol from the blood

By what mechanism a binge drinking event kills someone

Brain: too overwhelmed (no oxygen) → heart and lung function to shut down

binge drinking:

Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol in short periods of time 6 days of abstinence followed by 7 drinks in one night

alcohol dehydrogenase (see Chapter 8):

Enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of ethanol and other alcohols

Physiologically, why alcohol is toxic

It can interfere with intake of nutrients and the body's ability use them Raise risks of breast cancer, birth defects, liver cirrhosis

Why alcohol isn't considered a nutrient

It is not necessary for a function of the body. Addictive and has narrow safety window Not essential for the body Does more bad than good; causes dependence and tolerance

Why people pass out when they drink too much

It is the body protecting itself from drinking more alcohol to prevent alcohol poisoning

The role of the liver in alcohol metabolism and processing

Liver detoxifies alcohol and breaks it down only be brown down at a certain amount per hour (alcohol dehydrogenase)

alcohol poisoning:

Overdose of alcohol. Body is overwhelmed and body cannot break it down fast enough

Why rapid binge drinking is more dangerous than slower consumption of alcohol

Victim can ingest a fatal dose of alcohol before become unconscious or irreversible brain damage if a person lives

Explain how and why individuals differ in their ability to process alcohol (e.g., females can metabolize less alcohol than males, and this is because of the smaller size and lean body mass of females and their lower expression of alcohol dehydrogenase). less enzyme activity:

alcohol dehydrogenase is 40% less active in water

Explain how and why individuals differ in their ability to process alcohol (e.g., females can metabolize less alcohol than males, and this is because of the smaller size and lean body mass of females and their lower expression of alcohol dehydrogenase). women:

body small liver- less capacity for processing alcohol

alcohol:

common name for ethanol or ethyl alcohol Refers to any inorganic compound with one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups

That "drinking" alcohol=

ethanol = ethyl alcohol

That the metabolism of alcohol primarily produces

fat

Discuss the major common symptoms of a hangover and their causes dehydrations →

headache and dry mouth

Explain how and why individuals differ in their ability to process alcohol (e.g., females can metabolize less alcohol than males, and this is because of the smaller size and lean body mass of females and their lower expression of alcohol dehydrogenase). hormonal fluctuations:

heightened response to alcohol when women are on periods or take birth control

Discuss the major common symptoms of a hangover and their causes alcohol diverts liver activity away from glucose production;

lightheadedness and decreased energy

Discuss the potential benefits of drinking small amounts of alcohol

lower risk of motility from heart disease, diabetes, high-blood pressure Reduce insulin resistance Protect against heart disease by improving "good" cholesterol levels

Explain how and why individuals differ in their ability to process alcohol (e.g., females can metabolize less alcohol than males, and this is because of the smaller size and lean body mass of females and their lower expression of alcohol dehydrogenase). composition:

more fat which means less to dilute alcohol

That alcoholism is a major cause of

undernutrition

Discuss the major common symptoms of a hangover and their causes Alcohol directly irritates the stomach →

vomiting and stomach pain