Which organ metabolizes alcohol?

Which organ metabolizes alcohol?

• A. Heart
• B. Spleen
• C. Liver
• D. Pancreas

Answer: (C)

Alcohol is primarily metabolized by the liver. In liver cells, enzymes like alcohol dehydrogenase convert ethanol to acetaldehyde, and then acetaldehyde dehydrogenase turns that into acetate, which enters the body’s energy pathways as acetyl-CoA. A additional pathway in the liver, the MEOS system (cytochrome P450 enzymes), can kick in at higher alcohol levels. While alcohol can affect other organs, the liver is the main site where most of the metabolism happens, which is why liver health strongly influences how quickly alcohol is cleared from the body.

Alcohol is primarily metabolized by the liver. In liver cells, enzymes like alcohol dehydrogenase convert ethanol to acetaldehyde, and then acetaldehyde dehydrogenase turns that into acetate, which enters the body’s energy pathways as acetyl-CoA. A additional pathway in the liver, the MEOS system (cytochrome P450 enzymes), can kick in at higher alcohol levels. While alcohol can affect other organs, the liver is the main site where most of the metabolism happens, which is why liver health strongly influences how quickly alcohol is cleared from the body.