Chapter 7 - Ethanol

Is ethanol necessary?

No, ethanol is not necessary for nutrition.

Which alcohol tastes sweet?

Methanol tastes sweet, and it also smells good. Highly toxic though.

What is the antidote for methanol poisoning?

Ethanol is the antidote for methanol poisoning.

Energy content of ethanol

7 kcal/g (close to fats)

List the 5 main physiological effects of ethanol

Diuretic, capillary dilator, hunger inducer, CNS inhibitor, liver toxicity

Location of frontal lobe

Forehead area

Location of temporal lobe

Temples area

Location of parietal lobe

Upper and lateral part of head (above temple area)

Location of occipital lobe

Back of the head

Location of cerebellum

Back of the head under occipital lobe

Location of brainstem

Lowest part of brain, connecting to the spinal cord

Function of frontal lobe

Social controls, planning ahead

Function of parietal lobe

Speech, hearing, language

Function of temporal lobe

Abstract thinking, math

Function of occipital lobe

Vision

Function of cerebellum

Balance, and fine tuned motion

Function of brainstem

Automatic physiological functions: heart beat, breathing, blood pressure, body temperature

Which organ detoxifies ethanol?

The liver detoxifies ethanol. It is damaged in the process. Damage is cumulative.

What is the first stage of alcoholic liver toxicity?

Fatty liver disease.

Is fatty liver disease recoverable?

Yes, with diet and lifestyle change.

What is the last stage of alcoholic liver toxicity?

Cirrhosis: the irreversible scarring of liver tissue.

Is cirrhosis recoverable?

No, cirrhosis is a terminal disease.

Philtrum

The skin groove above the upper lip and the nose.

List some symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome

Lower IQ, flat philtrum, very narrow upper lip, smaller eye openings