Alcohol - Uses Flashcards
How is ethanol produced?
6
By fermentation
Fruits such as grapes contain the sugar glucose, C6H12O6
When yeast is added, the sugar forms a solution of ethanol and carbon dioxide
C6H12O6—yeast–>2C2H5OH + 2CO2
Glucose —yeast–> Ethanol + carbon dioxide
Yeast is a micro-organism that contains an enzyme called zymase which catalyses the above reaction
What is the chemical formula for glucose?
C6H12O6
What is the chemical formula for ethanol?
C2H5OH
What enzyme is found in yeast which catalyses the fermentation of glucose into ethanol and carbon dioxide?
Zymase
What is the concentration of ethanol in wines?
About 10-12% v/v
Why is it impossible to create alcoholic drinks with an ethanol % v/v over 12% by fermentation?
Once the ethanol content reaches this level, it kills the yeast and fermentation is stopped
What is the concentration of ethanol in beers and cider?
4-5% v/v
How can alcoholic drinks with a percentage v/v over 12 be achieved?
To produce drinks of higher alcohol concentration, fermented liquids are distilled
What is formed when wine is distilled?
It produces brandy
What alcoholic drinks can be formed through distillation?
Spirits such as whiskey, gin, vodka and brandy
What is the ethanol % v/v of distilled drinks?
About 40% v/v
What alcohol is particularly toxic?
Methanol
What is added into industrial alcohol to prevent people dinking it?
Methanol
Why is methanol added into industrial alcohol?
To prevent people drinking it
What is methanol added into to prevent people drinking it?
Industrial alcohol
What is the addition of methanol to industrial alcohol called?
Denaturation
What is methanol referred to as when it is added to industrial alcohol to prevent people drinking it?
It is referred to as a denaturing agent
What is the combination of methanol and industrial alcohol called?
Methylated spirits
Describe the composition of methylated spirits.
It is 90% ethanol and 10% methanol
What is often added to methylated spirits as a warning?
Purple dye
What can drinking methanol lead to?
Blindness and death
What can excess ethanol consumption cause?
2
It can cause unconsciousness and vomiting
It can lead to death as a result of drowning in vomit as well as liver failure
How does ethanol slow one’s reaction time?
Ethanol is a drug that depresses the activity of the central nervous system
Ethanol is a drug that depresses the activity of the central nervous system, what affects does this have?
(3)
It slows reaction time
It makes us less vigilant
It impairs our judgement
What is the legal limit of ethanol per 100 cm3 of blood?
The legal limit is 20mg per 100cm3 of blood
What is the only commonly used drug that is sufficiently volatile to pass from the blood to the air in the lungs?
Ethanol
How can ethanol concentration in the blood be measured?
2
Ethanol is the only commonly used drug that is sufficiently volatile to pass from the blood to the air in the lungs
Hence, a measurement of the ethanol concentration in one’s breath gives an indication of the concentration of alcohol in the blood
Other than in alcoholic drinks, what are the main uses of ethanol?
(2)
It can be used as a fuel
It can be used as a solvent
Give some examples of where ethanol can be used as a solvent.
(7)
Perfumes
After-shave lotions
Deodorants
Hair sprays
Polishes
Varnishes
Dyes
