Alcohol metabolism

Question 1

What enzyme converts ethanol to acetylaldehyde?

Answer 1

Alcohol dehydrogenase

Question 2

What enzyme converts acetylaldehyde to acetate?

Answer 2

Aldehyde dehydrogenase

Question 3

Accumulation of which molecule causes a hangover?

Answer 3

Acetylaldehyde

Question 4

Disulfiram is a drug given to alcoholics. It inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase. What is its purpose?

Answer 4

By inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase it causes acetylaldehyde accumulation which leads to a very bad hangover

Question 5

Alcohol metabolism causes excessive NADH and acetyl-CoA accumulation. Why is this an issue?

Answer 5

It causes damage to the liver such as fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Question 6

What causes fatty liver in alcoholics?

Answer 6

Increased acetyl-CoA concentrations

Question 7

Why is a low Km favoured aldehyde dehydrogenase?

Answer 7

It reduces the toxicity caused by accumulation of acetylaldehyde. There is low Km so high affinity therefore very little accumulation.

Question 8

What is the rate of alcohol metabolism?

Answer 8

It is eliminated at a rate of 7g an hour