Question 1

Which of the following does not modify the concentration of alcohol in the blood?
A) The presence of food in the stomach
B) The dose of alcohol consumed
C) Sex differences in metabolism
D) A cold shower

Accepted Answer

Taking a cold shower may provide temporary relief from the effects of alcohol, but it does not actually modify the concentration of alcohol in the blood. The other options listed can all have an impact on alcohol concentration in the blood. Eating food before drinking can slow down the rate at which alcohol enters the bloodstream, leading to a lower peak alcohol concentration. The dose of alcohol consumed directly affects the alcohol concentration in the blood, as does sex differences in metabolism. Women tend to have lower levels of the enzyme needed to metabolize alcohol, leading to higher blood alcohol concentrations for a given dose of alcohol compared to men.

Question 2

Eating while drinking alcohol _______ its absorption by _______ gastric emptying.
A) increases; slowing down
B) speeds up; increasing
C) slows down; slowing down
D) reduces; increasing

Accepted Answer

Eating while drinking alcohol slows down its absorption by slowing down gastric emptying, as food in the stomach delays the passage of alcohol into the small intestine where absorption is faster.

Question 3

The first step in the metabolism of alcohol is its conversion to
A) formaldehyde.
B) acetaldehyde.
C) acetic acid.
D) aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Accepted Answer

The first step in the metabolism of alcohol is the conversion of ethanol to acetaldehyde by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. This process produces NADH, which further drives the metabolism of alcohol. Acetaldehyde is then converted to acetic acid by the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Question 4

Which of the following correctly represents the enzymatic steps involved in alcohol metabolism?
A) Alcohol $\rightarrow$ alcohol dehydrogenase $\rightarrow$ acetaldehyde $\rightarrow$acetaldehyde dehydrogenase $\rightarrow$ acetic acid
B) Alcohol $\rightarrow$ alcohol dehydrogenase $\rightarrow$ acetic acid $\rightarrow$ acetaldehyde dehydrogenase $\rightarrow$ acetaldehyde
C) Alcohol $\rightarrow$ acetaldehyde dehydrogenase $\rightarrow$ acetaldehyde $\rightarrow$alcohol dehydrogenase $\rightarrow$ acetic acid
D) Alcohol $\rightarrow$ acetaldehyde dehydrogenase $\rightarrow$acetic acid $\rightarrow$ alcohol dehydrogenase $\rightarrow$ acetaldehyde

Accepted Answer

The correct sequence for alcohol metabolism is: Alcohol is first converted to acetaldehyde by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, and then acetaldehyde is converted to acetic acid by the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase.

Question 5

Alcohol is metabolized in the liver by two systems of enzymes, _______ and _______.
A) aldehyde dehydrogenase; cytochrome P450
B) alcohol dehydrogenase; acetaldehyde
C) alcohol dehydrogenase; cytochrome P450
D) alcohol dehydrogenase; aldehyde dehydrogenase

Accepted Answer

Alcohol is primarily metabolized in the liver by alcohol dehydrogenase and the cytochrome P450 enzyme system.

Question 6

A decrease in _______ activity can lead to toxicity, including flushing, nausea, and vomiting.
A) alcohol dehydrogenase
B) acetaldehyde dehydrogenase
C) acetaldehyde
D) formaldehyde

Accepted Answer

Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase is responsible for converting toxic acetaldehyde into non-toxic acetic acid in the body. A decrease in activity of this enzyme can lead to acetaldehyde accumulation, which can cause symptoms of toxicity such as flushing, nausea, and vomiting.

Question 7

Why can taking certain drugs while also drinking alcohol lead to dangerous levels of the drugs?
A) The enzymes that metabolize alcohol also metabolize certain drugs, thus the alcohol and drugs compete for the same enzyme molecules as alcohol.
B) The alcohol enhances the drug effects even though both are being metabolized.
C) Alcohol destroys the enzymes that metabolize the drugs.
D) The enzymes that metabolize the drugs cease to function when alcohol and drugs are taken together.

Accepted Answer

The enzymes that metabolize alcohol also metabolize certain drugs, thus the alcohol and drugs compete for the same enzyme molecules as alcohol. This can result in slower metabolism of the drugs and dangerous levels accumulating in the body.

Question 8

Fomepizole and ethanol can be used to treat methanol poisoning because both
A) compete with methanol for aldehyde dehydrogenase.
B) compete with methanol for alcohol dehydrogenase.
C) are alcohol dehydrogenase agonists.
D) are mGluR2 agonists.

Accepted Answer

Methanol is metabolized to formaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase, and then to formic acid by aldehyde dehydrogenase. Fomepizole and ethanol both compete with methanol for alcohol dehydrogenase, preventing the formation of toxic metabolites.

Question 9

_______ tolerance to alcohol results from a(n) _______ of liver enzymes.
A) Metabolic; reduction
B) Pharmacodynamic; reduction
C) Metabolic; induction
D) Acute; induction

Accepted Answer

Metabolic tolerance to alcohol results from an increase (or induction) in liver enzymes involved in the breakdown of alcohol. This leads to a faster metabolism and elimination of alcohol from the body, resulting in a decreased effect of alcohol on the individual.

Question 10

In _______ tolerance, the effects of alcohol _______ when blood alcohol levels are falling compared to when they are rising even if the BAC remains the same.
A) acute; decrease
B) acute; increase
C) pharmacodynamic; increase
D) acute; remain the same

Accepted Answer

Acute tolerance refers to a situation where the effects of alcohol decrease when blood alcohol levels are falling, even if the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) remains the same. This phenomenon is observed within a single session of alcohol consumption.

Question 11

Which type of tolerance to alcohol is characterized by an increase the P450 liver microsomal enzymes?
A) Acute
B) Pharmacodynamic
C) Metabolic
D) Behavioral

Accepted Answer

Metabolic tolerance is characterized by an increase in P450 liver microsomal enzymes, which results in the faster metabolism of alcohol and a decreased response to its effects over time. Acute tolerance refers to a rapid decrease in response to alcohol within a single drinking session, pharmacodynamic tolerance is caused by changes in the brain's sensitivity to alcohol, and behavioral tolerance is the result of learned adaptations to the effects of alcohol.

Question 12

An intense withdrawal syndrome after long-term heavy drinking that includes irritability, convulsions, and hallucinations would be considered
A) delirium tremens.
B) a hangover.
C) psychosis.
D) physical dependence.

Accepted Answer

Delirium tremens is a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can occur after long-term heavy drinking. Symptoms can include irritability, convulsions, and hallucinations. It is considered a medical emergency and requires immediate attention. Hangovers are a milder form of discomfort after drinking and do not include convulsions or hallucinations. Psychosis implies a break from reality, which can occur with certain substances but is not specific to alcohol. Physical dependence is a condition that can result from long-term heavy drinking and can lead to withdrawal symptoms, but delirium tremens represents a severe form of physical dependence.

Question 13

Which of the following is not a potential explanation for a hangover?
A) Toxic effects of congeners in the alcohol
B) Residual acetaldehyde in the body
C) Excessive fluid loss during the drinking bout
D) Residual acetic acid in the body

Accepted Answer

While excessive fluid loss and toxic effects of congeners can contribute to the symptoms of a hangover, the primary cause is believed to be residual acetaldehyde in the body after the liver breaks down alcohol. However, residual acetic acid is not a commonly cited cause of hangovers.

Question 14

During _______ an individual may behave quite normally but will have total amnesia for the events that occurred while impaired.
A) delirium tremens
B) a blackout
C) a hangover
D) Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Accepted Answer

A blackout is a period of amnesia caused by heavy alcohol consumption, during which an individual may behave normally but be unable to remember what happened. Delirium tremens, a hangover, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome all involve more severe symptoms and may include physical or mental impairment beyond simple amnesia.

Question 15

A blood alcohol level of approximately _______% is lethal in half of the population, but because unconsciousness occurs at a BAC of approximately _______%, drinking is often stopped before the lethal level is reached.
A) 0.35; 0.15
B) 0.45; 0.1
C) 0.45; 0.35
D) 0.60; 0.1

Accepted Answer

The answer of A blood alcohol level of approximately _______%...

Question 16

Fatalities from acute alcohol ingestion occur because
A) of cardiac arrhythmias leading to heart failure.
B) the respiratory centers in the brainstem shut down.
C) the heart becomes too sedated and stops beating.
D) that much alcohol causes brain death.

Accepted Answer

Fatalities from acute alcohol ingestion occur because the respiratory centers in the brainstem shut down, leading to respiratory failure and ultimately death. This is why it is important to monitor individuals who have consumed large amounts of alcohol and provide medical attention if necessary to prevent this outcome.

Question 17

The memory disturbances seen in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome include
A) a loss of memory for events in the distant past.
B) total amnesia.
C) inability to form new memories.
D) little actual memory impairment.

Accepted Answer

The memory disturbances seen in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome include an inability to form new memories due to damage to the brain regions important for memory consolidation. This is often coupled with a loss of memory for events in the distant past, but little actual memory impairment for more recent events. Total amnesia is not typically seen in this disorder.

Question 18

While widespread brain damage can be seen in alcoholics, thiamine deficiency causes specific damage to the
A) cerebellum.
B) frontal cortex.
C) hippocampus.
D) thalamus

Accepted Answer

Thiamine deficiency, often seen in alcoholics, specifically causes damage to the thalamus, leading to conditions like Wernicke's encephalopathy.

Question 19

Fatty liver occurs due to of a buildup of _______ in the liver, while cirrhosis is the result of the formation of _______ in the liver.
A) acetaldehyde; scar tissue
B) scar tissue; triglycerides
C) triglycerides; scar tissue
D) acetaldehyde; triglycerides

Accepted Answer

Fatty liver occurs due to a buildup of triglycerides in the liver, while cirrhosis is the result of the formation of scar tissue in the liver.

Question 20

A child with facial malformations and a below-average IQ that was born at a low birthweight, most likely would have
A) fetal alcohol syndrome.
B) Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
C) alcohol abstinence syndrome.
D) a thiamine deficiency.

Accepted Answer

Facial malformations and developmental delays are common symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome, which can be caused by a mother consuming alcohol during pregnancy. Low birthweight is also a common symptom of fetal alcohol syndrome. Option B (Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome) and D (thiamine deficiency) are not typically associated with facial malformations and below-average IQ, while alcohol abstinence syndrome (Option C) would not explain the child's facial malformations.

Quiz 10: Alcohol

Which of the following does not modify the concentration of alcohol in the blood?

Eating while drinking alcohol _ its absorption by _ gastric emptying.

The first step in the metabolism of alcohol is its conversion to

Which of the following correctly represents the enzymatic steps involved in alcohol metabolism?

Alcohol is metabolized in the liver by two systems of enzymes, _ and _.

A decrease in _______ activity can lead to toxicity, including flushing, nausea, and vomiting.

Why can taking certain drugs while also drinking alcohol lead to dangerous levels of the drugs?

Fomepizole and ethanol can be used to treat methanol poisoning because both

_ tolerance to alcohol results from a(n) _ of liver enzymes.

In _ tolerance, the effects of alcohol _ when blood alcohol levels are falling compared to when they are rising even if the BAC remains the same.

Which type of tolerance to alcohol is characterized by an increase the P450 liver microsomal enzymes?

An intense withdrawal syndrome after long-term heavy drinking that includes irritability, convulsions, and hallucinations would be considered

Which of the following is not a potential explanation for a hangover?

During _______ an individual may behave quite normally but will have total amnesia for the events that occurred while impaired.

A blood alcohol level of approximately _% is lethal in half of the population, but because unconsciousness occurs at a BAC of approximately _%, drinking is often stopped before the lethal level is reached.

Fatalities from acute alcohol ingestion occur because

The memory disturbances seen in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome include

While widespread brain damage can be seen in alcoholics, thiamine deficiency causes specific damage to the

Fatty liver occurs due to of a buildup of _ in the liver, while cirrhosis is the result of the formation of _ in the liver.

A child with facial malformations and a below-average IQ that was born at a low birthweight, most likely would have