Final answer:
The amount of alcohol in the bloodstream is measured in mg% or blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Legal intoxication levels vary, with effects of alcohol ranging from impairment to death at higher BAC levels. Metabolism rates differ per individual, influencing the BAC.
Step-by-step explanation:
The amount of alcohol in the bloodstream is commonly measured in milligrams percent (mg%), which is also referred to as the blood alcohol concentration (BAC). This measurement indicates the concentration of alcohol in the blood and is typically used to gauge levels of intoxication. The legal limit for BAC when it comes to driving in many places is 0.08% volume/volume (v/v), but effects of alcohol such as intoxication, unconsciousness, or even death can occur at higher concentrations. Alcohol in the bloodstream is metabolized primarily by the liver, which uses various reactions to break down ethanol, the type of alcohol consumed in beverages.
Alcohol metabolism varies from person to person and is influenced by factors such as sex and body mass. In general, alcohol is broken down at a rate of about 15 mg/dL per hour, but this can differ significantly between individuals. When one consumes more alcohol than the body can metabolize, the BAC increases, leading to varying degrees of impairment.
Examples of BAC levels include 0.025-0.080% for legal intoxication in many regions, 0.20% for acute intoxication, and levels around 0.50% being potentially fatal. Devices such as the Breathalyzer are used to measure BAC indirectly by analyzing the concentration of ethanol in a person's breath.