BAT Alcohol Metabolism & Physiology 2

Question 1

Which enzyme is primarily responsible for converting acetaldehyde to acetate during alcohol metabolism?

Accepted Answer

Aldehyde dehydrogenase

Answer

Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) converts the toxic intermediate acetaldehyde into acetate in the second step of alcohol metabolism.

Question 2

In the context of breath alcohol testing, the 'partition ratio' refers to the ratio of alcohol concentration in:

Accepted Answer

Alveolar air to arterial blood

Answer

The partition ratio (2100:1) describes how alcohol distributes between alveolar air and arterial blood at body temperature.

Question 3

A subject has a BrAC of 0.080 g/210L. Applying the standard 2100:1 partition ratio, the estimated blood alcohol concentration (BAC) would be approximately:

Accepted Answer

0.080 g/dL

Answer

Because the 2100:1 ratio is already built into breath test instruments, the BrAC reading is reported directly equivalent to BAC in g/dL.

Question 4

Which body compartment has the highest water content, making it the primary distribution space for alcohol?

Accepted Answer

Total body water

Answer

Alcohol is hydrophilic and distributes throughout total body water, which represents about 60% of body weight in males.

Question 5

What physiological factor explains why women generally reach higher BAC levels than men when consuming the same amount of alcohol per kilogram of body weight?

Accepted Answer

Women have a lower proportion of total body water

Answer

Women have proportionally less total body water than men, so the same dose of alcohol is distributed in a smaller aqueous volume, yielding a higher concentration.

(BAT) Breath Alcohol Technician Certified Practice Test

(BAT) Breath Alcohol Technician Certified Practice Test

BAT Alcohol Metabolism & Physiology 2