Discussion:
Variation in Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH)
1. Over 10 varieties of the alcohol dehydrogenase molecule have been identified. All of them catalyze the same reaction. Hypothesize how these variations in the alcohol dehydrogenase molecule can explain why some individuals react differently to alcohol than others?
2. Explain how more acetaldehyde is able to escape into the blood stream in certain individuals who lack the mitochondrial form of aldehyde dehydrogenase?
3. Who would have the higher blood alcohol concentration if a man and women with the same weight consumed the same amount of alcohol? Why?
4. Why is it that frequent and heavy drinkers become less intoxicated with larger amounts of alcohol?