Ethanol metabolism
Ethanol Metabolism
Ethanol metabolism is the process by which the body breaks down and eliminates ethanol (pronounced: /ˈɛθənɒl/), a type of alcohol commonly found in alcoholic beverages.
Etymology
The term "ethanol" is derived from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) nomenclature. It is a combination of the prefix "eth-" (from ethyl) and the suffix "-anol" (indicating an alcohol). The term "metabolism" comes from the Greek word "metabole" which means change or transformation.
Process
Ethanol metabolism primarily occurs in the liver, where it is broken down by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) into acetaldehyde, a highly toxic substance and known carcinogen. Acetaldehyde is then further metabolized by the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) into acetate, a relatively non-toxic substance which is further broken down into water and carbon dioxide for elimination from the body.
Related Terms
- Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH): An enzyme that plays a key role in alcohol metabolism by converting ethanol to acetaldehyde.
- Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH): An enzyme that further metabolizes acetaldehyde into acetate.
- Acetaldehyde: A highly toxic substance and known carcinogen that is a byproduct of the first step of ethanol metabolism.
- Acetate: A relatively non-toxic substance that is a byproduct of the second step of ethanol metabolism.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ethanol metabolism
- Wikipedia's article - Ethanol metabolism
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