What is the process called when the body breaks down alcohol?

The process by which the body breaks down alcohol is known as metabolizing. When alcohol enters the body, it undergoes various chemical reactions to convert it into different substances that can be easily removed. This metabolic process primarily occurs in the liver, where enzymes such as alcohol dehydrogenase play a crucial role in converting alcohol to acetaldehyde and then further to acetic acid, eventually leading to its elimination from the body.

Metabolizing is essential because it directly impacts how quickly a person feels the effects of alcohol and how long those effects last. Understanding this process helps in recognizing the importance of responsible drinking, as it outlines how the body cannot quickly eliminate alcohol, leading to intoxication if consumed excessively.

The other options relate to different bodily processes. Absorption refers to the way nutrients and substances are taken into the bloodstream from the digestive system, which happens after alcohol is ingested. Oxidation in this context typically refers to chemical reactions that involve the loss of electrons, but in terms of alcohol metabolism, it’s more about the specific biochemical reactions during the metabolization process. Digestion is a broader term that describes the process of breaking down food into nutrients, which does include alcoholic beverages but is not specific to how the body processes alcohol itself.