Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) is the enzyme responsible for converting ethanol to acetaldehyde (reaction below). It is the enzyme responsible for the metabolism of ethanol in the alcoholic beverages we consume. ADH has a broad substrate specificity and can also oxidize methanol (wood alcohol) and ethylene alcohol (antifreeze). The poisonous nature of these compounds results from the ADH-catalyzed conversion of these compounds to toxic products. For example, ADH converts methanol to formaldehyde, which is toxic to the optic nerve and can produce blindness.
Certain individuals are more sensitive to alcohol than others. For example, women are more sensitive to alcohol than men, women generally become more intoxicated than men after consuming the same amount of alcohol. Using MichaelisâMenten kinetics equation, give biochemical reasons that would explain why women become more intoxicated than men when consuming an equal amount of alcohol.
Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) is the enzyme responsible for converting ethanol to acetaldehyde (reaction below). It is the enzyme responsible for the metabolism of ethanol in the alcoholic beverages we consume. ADH has a broad substrate specificity and can also oxidize methanol (wood alcohol) and ethylene alcohol (antifreeze). The poisonous nature of these compounds results from the ADH-catalyzed conversion of these compounds to toxic products. For example, ADH converts methanol to formaldehyde, which is toxic to the optic nerve and can produce blindness.
Certain individuals are more sensitive to alcohol than others. For example, women are more sensitive to alcohol than men, women generally become more intoxicated than men after consuming the same amount of alcohol. Using MichaelisâMenten kinetics equation, give biochemical reasons that would explain why women become more intoxicated than men when consuming an equal amount of alcohol.
