Final answer:
Women are more susceptible to the effects of alcohol due to differences in body composition, enzyme production, and hormonal fluctuations.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are several factors that make women more susceptible to the effects of alcohol than men:
- Body composition: Women generally have a higher proportion of body fat and lower proportion of water in their bodies compared to men. Since alcohol is soluble in water, women tend to have higher blood alcohol concentration after consuming the same amount of alcohol as men.
- Enzyme production: Women produce less of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which helps break down alcohol in the body. As a result, alcohol remains in their system for a longer period of time, leading to higher blood alcohol levels and more severe intoxication.
- Hormonal differences: Hormonal fluctuations in women throughout their menstrual cycle can affect the way their bodies process alcohol. During certain phases of the menstrual cycle, women may experience quicker and more intense effects from alcohol.