BIO 111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Formaldehyde, B Vitamins, Acetaldehyde
Document Summary
The liver cells are the largest alcohol processing machinery. The liver makes 2 sets of alcohol metabolizing equipment: Alcohol deh2ase (adh)- breaks down alcohol by removing hydrogen. This enzyme handles 80% or more of alcohol in body. Microsomal ethanol oxidizing system (meos)-a chain of enzyme that oxidize alc to break it down. The other 10% is excreted through urine and breath. Alc in breath is directly prop to blood alc levels. Amt of alc able to consume is dependent on adh in liver. Alcoholics have less adh in stomach and women less then men. Women absorb 1/3rd more alc then men. Developing a fatty liver is the first sign of liver deterioration in heavy drinkers. If fat deposits last long enough, fibrous scars develop leading to the 2nd stage of deterioration fibrosis. If liver cells harden they turn orange and die (cirrhosis) It take about 1. 5 hours to metabolize one drink.
