Academic Integrity: tutoring, explanations, and feedback — we don’t complete graded work or submit on a student’s behalf.

When a person consumes alcohol, the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase converts ethano

ID: 144727 • Letter: W

Question

When a person consumes alcohol, the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase converts ethanol into acetaldehyde in the liver. This acetaldehyde compound is the cause of some of the tell-tale signs of inebriation, including facial flushing and an elevated heart rate. A second enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase, converts acetaldehyde into harmless acetate. As seen in the table below, aldehyde dehydrogenase comes in two cellular forms: a mitochondrial form and a cytoplasmic form, each with a distinct KM for acetaldehyde. Notably, some people have a mutation in the mitochondrial form.

Assume that after drinking two drinks, the acetaldehyde concentration in cells is roughly 10mM. Given this information, which of the statements below is false?

A. The cytoplasmic version of aldehyde dehydrogenase is unlikely to actively process much acetaldehyde after drinking only two drinks.

B. Under wild-type conditions, the mitochondrial version of the enzyme has a higher affinity for acetaldehyde compared to the cytoplasmic version.

C. Under mutant conditions, the cytoplasmic version of the enzyme has a higher affinity for acetaldehyde compared to the mitochondrial version.

D. People with the mutant phenotype are likely to show more severe signs of inebriation at lower alcohol levels compared to people with the wild-type phenotype.

E. After drinking two alcoholic drinks each, a person with the mutant phenotype will process acetaldehyde faster than a person with the wild-type phenotype.

(4) When a person consumes alcohol, the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase converts ethanol into acetaldehyde in the liver. This acetaldehyde compound is the cause of some of the tell-tale signs of inebriation, including facial flushing and an elevated heart rate. A second enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase, converts acetaldehyde into harmless acetate. As seen in the table below, aldehyde dehydrogenase comes in two cellular forms: a mitochondrial form and a cytoplasmic form, each with a distinct Ku for acetaldehyde. Notably, some people have a mutation in the mitochondrial form. Gi Wild-type phenotype Mutant phenotype Mitochondrial Kw Cytoplasmic K 10 mM 50 mM 100 mM 50 mM Assume that after drinking two drinks, the acetaldehyde concentration in cells is roughly 10mM. Given this information, which of the statements below is false? (1pt) A. The cytoplasmic version of aldehyde dehydrogenase is unlikely to actively process much acetaldehyde after drinking only two drinks. B. Under wild-type conditions, the mitochondrial version of the enzyme has a higher affinity for acetaldehyde compared to the cytoplasmic version C. Under mutant conditions, the cytoplasmic version of the enzyme has a higher affinity for acetaldehyde compared to the mitochondrial version D. People with the mutant phenotype are likely to show more severe signs of inebriation at lower alcohol levels compared to people with the wild-type phenotype E. After drinking two alcoholic drinks each, a person with the mutant phenotype will process acetaldehyde faster than a person with the wild-type phenotype gl ct? +100% Show all

Explanation / Answer

E. After drinking two alcoholic drinks each, a person with the mutant phenotype will process acetaldehyde faster than a person with the wild type phenotype.

Explanation: Km, is defined as the substrate concentration that gives the rate that is halfway the Vmax (maximum rate of reaction achieved by particular enzyme at specific concentration).

Km is useful measure of;

After drinking two alcoholic drinks each, a person with the mutant phenotype will not be able to process acetaldehyde faster than a person with the wild-type phenotype as Km value of mutant phenotype is higher than wild type phenotype, which means the mutant aldehyde dehydrogenase requires higher concentration of acetaldehyde to start the reaction.  

Hire Me For All Your Tutoring Needs
Integrity-first tutoring: clear explanations, guidance, and feedback.
Drop an Email at
drjack9650@gmail.com
Chat Now And Get Quote