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How is the Cl₃ produced from ethanol metabolism eliminated from the body?

User FredericP
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Final answer:

When ethanol is metabolized, the liver converts acetate into acetyl CoA, which is then used to produce various other molecules, while chloride is mainly eliminated through urine. Ethanol presence can prevent the metabolism of methanol into harmful substances, promoting its excretion in urine.

Step-by-step explanation:

Elimination of Chloride from Ethanol Metabolism

During the metabolism of ethanol, various byproducts including acetic acid and acetate are formed. Acetate is primarily managed by the liver, where it is transformed into acetyl CoA. This acetyl CoA can be used for the synthesis of other molecules like CO2, fatty acids, and cholesterol. As for chloride (Cl₃ is not typically related to ethanol metabolism), the element chloride (Cl⁻) in the body is generally completely absorbed from the GI tract and is chiefly eliminated via urine, with some losses in sweat. The kidney plays a critical role in maintaining chloride balance by adjusting urine chloride content.

Regarding methanol metabolism, ethanol has a higher affinity for liver alcohol dehydrogenase, meaning that when ethanol is present, methanol is excreted intact in the urine rather than being metabolized into toxic compounds.

User Andrew Einhorn
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