Breaks down acetaldehyde, a by-product of alcohol.

Breaks down acetaldehyde, a by-product of alcohol.

• A. mesolimbic dopamine system
• B. GABA transmitters
• C. aldehyde dehydrogenase
• D. Alcohol flush syndrome

Answer: (C)

Aldehyde dehydrogenase is the enzyme that clears acetaldehyde by converting it into acetate, a less toxic compound the body can use for energy. After ethanol is metabolized to acetaldehyde, ALDH quickly processes that intermediate; when ALDH activity is low or inhibited, acetaldehyde builds up and causes symptoms like flushing. This is the mechanism behind alcohol intolerance and why drugs like disulfiram cause adverse reactions by blocking ALDH. The mesolimbic dopamine system is tied to reward, not metabolism; GABA transmitters are about inhibitory signaling affected by alcohol but not the breakdown of acetaldehyde; and alcohol flush syndrome describes the symptom outcome of acetaldehyde buildup, not the enzyme doing the breakdown.

Aldehyde dehydrogenase is the enzyme that clears acetaldehyde by converting it into acetate, a less toxic compound the body can use for energy. After ethanol is metabolized to acetaldehyde, ALDH quickly processes that intermediate; when ALDH activity is low or inhibited, acetaldehyde builds up and causes symptoms like flushing. This is the mechanism behind alcohol intolerance and why drugs like disulfiram cause adverse reactions by blocking ALDH. The mesolimbic dopamine system is tied to reward, not metabolism; GABA transmitters are about inhibitory signaling affected by alcohol but not the breakdown of acetaldehyde; and alcohol flush syndrome describes the symptom outcome of acetaldehyde buildup, not the enzyme doing the breakdown.