Question

Upon ingestion, grain alcohol, C₂H₆O, is metabolized into acetaldehyde, C₂H₄O, which is a toxic substance causing headaches as well as joint pains typical of a "hangover." Is the grain alcohol oxidized or reduced as it transforms into acetaldehyde?

Answer 1

Grain alcohol, or ethanol (C2H6O), is oxidized into acetaldehyde (C2H4O) as it is metabolized in the body. This oxidation process, in which ethanol loses hydrogen atoms, is catalyzed by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase and is associated with hangover symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

Grain alcohol, also known as ethanol (C2H6O), is metabolized into acetaldehyde (C2H4O). During this process, ethanol is oxidized to form acetaldehyde. This metabolic reaction is facilitated by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which also produces NADH (a reduced coenzyme) and H+.

When grain alcohol is oxidized, the hydrogen atoms are removed, increasing the number of bonds to oxygen and effectively oxidizing the ethanol into acetaldehyde. This transformation contributes to the unpleasant effects of drinking alcohol, which include symptoms of a hangover such as headaches and joint pains. In contrast, the reduction process would involve gaining hydrogen atoms or losing oxygen bonds, which is not the case here. Therefore, the ethanol in grain alcohol is oxidized during its metabolism to acetaldehyde.

Oxidation reactions are a common part of alcohol metabolism and can lead to the creation of toxic substances such as acetaldehyde, which is then further broken down by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase into less harmful compounds like acetic acid.