Excessive Alcohol Consumption (Cambridge O Level Biology)

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Excessive Alcohol Consumption

  • Wines, beers and spirits contain an alcohol called ethanol
  • It is a depressant drug - it slows down signals in the nerves and brain
  • Because alcohol increases reaction times (meaning it increases the time taken to react to situations because it slows down signalling in the brain), there are legal limits for drinking and driving in many countries

Effects of alcohol table

Short-term effects of alcohol abuse Long-term effects of alcohol abuse
Vomiting: alcohol is highly toxic and this is the quickest way to get rid of it
Damages the brain, causing memory loss and confusion

Impaired judgment and potentially violent behaviour

The user has reduced self-control
Heavy alcohol abuse over a long period of time damages the liver, causing cirrhosis.
Impaired balance and muscle control Social isolation, loss of friends, alienation of family etc
Sleepiness and, when consumed in large enough quantities, unconsciousness  
Alcohol is a depressant; it slows reaction times  

  • The liver removes alcohol from the bloodstream
  • it has enzymes that break down alcohol but the products of the reactions involved are toxic and over time, the liver can be irreparably damaged
  • In many people, alcohol can be a very addictive drug

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Phil

Author: Phil

Expertise: Biology

Phil has a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham, followed by an MBA from Manchester Business School. He has 15 years of teaching and tutoring experience, teaching Biology in schools before becoming director of a growing tuition agency. He has also examined Biology for one of the leading UK exam boards. Phil has a particular passion for empowering students to overcome their fear of numbers in a scientific context.