Final answer:
Cytochrome P450 enzymes and MEOS metabolize ethanol to acetaldehyde and then acetate, a non-toxic molecule. Acetaldehyde is toxic and quickly converted to protect the body. Acetate is then used in liver cells for various biosynthetic processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Enzymes in the cytochrome P450 family also convert ethanol into acetaldehyde, which is then metabolized by the microsomal ethanol oxidizing system (MEOS).
The MEOS system, much like the Alcohol Dehydrogenase System, processes ethanol primarily in the liver. During periods of moderate drinking, about 10 to 20% of ethanol is metabolized by the MEOS system, but during heavy drinking, it metabolizes most of the excess ethanol.
The MEOS system is similarly responsible for converting acetaldehyde to acetate, a non-toxic substance. Since acetaldehyde is very toxic, it's crucial that it is converted quickly to protect the liver and bodily tissues. Additional products of this reaction include NADH and H+ ions.
Ultimately, acetate can be used inside liver cells to produce other molecules such as CO2, or it can be used in the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol after being converted to acetyl CoA.