Final answer:
The byproduct immediately produced in the metabolism of alcohol, when ethanol is converted by alcohol dehydrogenase, is acetaldehyde. This substance is then rapidly converted into less harmful compounds such as acetate.
Step-by-step explanation:
As alcohol is metabolized in the body, it undergoes a series of reactions that transform it into various compounds. When ethanol, the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, is processed by the liver, the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase catalyzes the conversion of ethanol into acetaldehyde. This compound is highly toxic to our cells, and thus, it must be rapidly converted to prevent harm. The subsequent enzyme, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, further metabolizes acetaldehyde into acetate, which is a less harmful substance.
Therefore, in the metabolism of alcohol, the byproduct that is immediately produced as a result of the action of alcohol dehydrogenase is acetaldehyde. Subsequent breakdown steps involve the conversion of acetaldehyde into acetate and eventually carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). It is important to note that other substances such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcysteine are not direct byproducts of alcohol metabolism.