If the blood-brain barrier prevents toxic substances from getting into the central nervous system, how does alcohol most likely impair a person's judgment?
A) Alcohol acts on the peripheral nervous system, which then activates neurons in the cortex that impair judgment.
B) Alcohol acts on the liver, creating toxins that can cross the blood-brain barrier, which then activate neurons in the cortex that impair judgment.
C) Alcohol decreases blood oxygen levels, which leads to impaired judgment.
D) Alcohol can bind to glucocorticoid transporters in the brain, which causes impaired judgment by binding to neurons in the cortex.
E) Because it is hydrophobic, alcohol can pass directly across the blood-brain barrier and cause impaired judgment by binding directly to neurons in the cortex.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Alcohol is a small, hydrophobic molecule, which allows it to pass directly through the cell membranes of the blood-brain barrier and affect the central nervous system, including neurons in the cortex responsible for judgment.

If the Blood-Brain Barrier Prevents Toxic Substances from Getting into the Central