Alcohol & the Human Body
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Transcript of Alcohol & the Human Body
Alcohol & the
Human Body
Term to know…
B.A.C. = blood alcohol concentration
Different components of the brain show different
sensitivities to alcohol
Notice how behavior corresponds with a BAC
BAC: .04 -.06 Frontal lobe of Cerebrum
is the 1st to be affected
Yellow portion affected
BAC = .04 - .06
Involved in decision-making – controls inhibitions (sexual behavior)
more confident yet actually shows poorer judgment
Likely to be more talkative and laughing more than usual
BAC: .07 - .10Back of the Cerebrum
Blue color is still affected, yellow is currently affected as well
BAC = .07 - .10
Affects speech and vision
Senses are distorted
Has trouble choosing appropriate words
Speech slurring
Even though person is loosing control, they feel content and even euphoric
BAC: .11 - .19
Affects Cerebellum
Blue color is still affected, yellow is currently affected as well
BAC = .11 - .19 Motor coordination and vision
deteriorating
Person is staggering
Getting drowsy
Most social drinkers stop automatically at this point because they don’t like feeling bad
BAC: .20 - .30Affects mid- brain and spinal
reflexes
BAC = .20 - .30 may not be able to recall events, fall
into a stupor –leading to coma
Difficult to maintain body temperature
Reflex reactions slowed
Easily angered, may shout, groan or cry inappropriately
BAC: .40 and aboveAffects medulla oblongata
BAC = .40 and above
Paralysis
Irregular heartbeat
Slow respiration
Often means death
What is a "Drink?"It's not how many "drinks" that you
have, but how much alcohol that you consume.
A "drink" is normally defined as:One 12 oz. beer
One shot of 80 Proof liquor orOne 4-5 oz glass of wine.
Alcohol Poisoning: A Medical Emergency
PASSING OUT DOESN'T MEAN SLEEPING IT OFF
How You Can Tell Unconscious or semi-consciousness. Slow respiration (breaths) of eight
or less per minute or lapses between breaths of more than eight seconds.
Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin.
Alcohol Poisoning: A Medical Emergency
In the event of alcohol poisoning, these signs and symptoms will most likely be accompanied by a strong odor of alcohol. While these are obvious signs of alcohol poisoning, the list is certainly not all inclusive.
Ethanol Small molecule
made up of only carbon, oxygen and hydrogen!
High energy!!! 7.5 calories/gram
Similar to glucose C6H12O6
4 calories/ gram
Made of the same elements, Ethanol is much smaller than glucose
If glucose can diffuse into cells, can ethanol????
YES – it easily crosses cell membranes and disturbs the
structure
Alcohol destroys membrane ability to regulate what comes
in and out of cell
Effect is reversible, but we are not sure how many times it can change back and forth before permanent changes occur!!!
Most drugs act through neurons and receptors with specific target sites
Alcohol has non specific action and diffuses into all cells – not just affecting receptors!
Since alcohol affects cell membranes, and the entire body is made up of cells – alcohol affects the ENTIRE BODY