Final answer:
Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream and metabolized primarily in the liver at a certain rate, leading to varying effects on different body systems, including the risk of dehydration and potential long-term damage to organs like the liver and kidneys.
Step-by-step explanation:
When alcohol is consumed, it is absorbed into the bloodstream primarily through the stomach and small intestine. From there, alcohol metabolism takes place mainly in the liver, where up to 98% of the alcohol is processed. The liver transforms the alcohol into acetaldehyde using enzymes, and subsequently acetaldehyde is converted to other, less harmful substances that can be excreted. The initial concentration of alcohol in the blood, represented by [C₂H₅OH] (M), has been given as 4.4 x 10⁻². The metabolic rate for an average male, although subject to individual variation, has been observed, with women metabolizing alcohol slightly more slowly.
Alcohol can have immediate and long-term effects on various body systems, including the excretory system. High levels of alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration due to its effect on antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which normally helps the body retain water. Frequent urination after drinking is a direct result of this inhibition. Heavy or regular excessive drinking can lead to long-term damage such as liver and kidney disease. The legal limit for intoxication usually corresponds to a BAC of 0.08, and considering the average metabolic rate, it takes a legally intoxicated person approximately five hours to reach sobriety.