SMARTSERVE Alcohol Effects on the Body 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which organ is primarily responsible for metabolizing alcohol in the body?
- The kidneys
- The liver (Correct answer)
- The stomach
- The lungs
Correct answer: The liver
The liver is the primary organ responsible for metabolizing alcohol, breaking it down at a rate of approximately one standard drink per hour.
Question 2: Approximately how long does it take the liver to process one standard drink?
- 15 minutes
- 30 minutes
- One hour (Correct answer)
- Two hours
Correct answer: One hour
The liver metabolizes approximately one standard drink per hour, meaning BAC cannot be reduced faster than this rate.
Question 3: Which part of the brain is affected first by alcohol, leading to initial feelings of relaxation and lowered inhibitions?
- The cerebellum
- The brainstem
- The prefrontal cortex (frontal lobe) (Correct answer)
- The hippocampus
Correct answer: The prefrontal cortex (frontal lobe)
The prefrontal cortex, responsible for judgment and impulse control, is among the first brain regions impaired by alcohol, causing relaxation and disinhibition.
Question 4: What effect does alcohol have on reaction time?
- It improves reaction time by reducing anxiety
- It slows reaction time by depressing the central nervous system (Correct answer)
- It has no significant effect on reaction time
- It initially speeds up reaction time before slowing it down
Correct answer: It slows reaction time by depressing the central nervous system
Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, which significantly slows reaction time and impairs coordination even at relatively low BAC levels.
Question 5: What is the approximate BAC at which a person's driving ability is considered legally impaired in Ontario?
- 0.04%
- 0.08% (Correct answer)
- 0.10%
- 0.15%
Correct answer: 0.08%
In Ontario, a BAC of 0.08% (80 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood) is the legal limit above which a driver is considered criminally impaired.
Question 6: How does alcohol act pharmacologically on the human body?
- As a stimulant that increases energy
- As a depressant that slows down the central nervous system (Correct answer)
- As a hallucinogen that distorts perception
- As an analgesic that eliminates physical pain
Correct answer: As a depressant that slows down the central nervous system
Alcohol is classified as a central nervous system depressant, which slows brain activity, reduces coordination, and impairs judgment.
SMARTSERVE Alcohol Effects on the Body 1
Which organ is primarily responsible for metabolizing alcohol in the body?