When drinking alcohol, the liver metabolizes Acetaldehyde into

When drinking alcohol, the liver metabolizes Acetaldehyde into

• A. Ethanol
• B. Acetate
• C. Acetaldehyde
• D. Formate

Answer: (B)

Metabolism of alcohol in the liver proceeds in two steps: ethanol is first oxidized to acetaldehyde, and then acetaldehyde is oxidized to acetate. The enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase catalyzes this second step, producing acetate as the end product. Acetate can then be used in the body to form acetyl-CoA and enter the energy-producing pathways. This is why acetate is the correct final product. Ethanol is the starting fuel, not the end product; acetaldehyde is an intermediate and is more toxic, and formate is produced in methanol metabolism, not ethanol metabolism.

Metabolism of alcohol in the liver proceeds in two steps: ethanol is first oxidized to acetaldehyde, and then acetaldehyde is oxidized to acetate. The enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase catalyzes this second step, producing acetate as the end product. Acetate can then be used in the body to form acetyl-CoA and enter the energy-producing pathways. This is why acetate is the correct final product. Ethanol is the starting fuel, not the end product; acetaldehyde is an intermediate and is more toxic, and formate is produced in methanol metabolism, not ethanol metabolism.