Chapter 9 Flashcards
Alcohol Absorption
absorbed into blood from stomach and small intestine; increases in concentration (concentration of arterial blood > concentration of venous blood)
Alcohol Transportation
Distributed uniformly throughout watery portions of the body (Hair, fat, and bones have low water content, Brain and cerebrospinal fluid have much more fluid)
Elimination : Oxidation
Takes place in the liver, Alcohol > acetic acid > CO2 and water
Elimination : Excretion
Alcohol is eliminated in an unchanged state, normally in breath and urine
Artery
carries blood away from heart
vein
carries blood too heart
capillaries
connect arteries and veins
How does alcohol get into blood?
Esophagus > Stomach > Blood
Excretion through breath
Alveoli: small sacs in lungs; air and other vapors are exchanged between breath and blood
Breathalyzer
measures alcohol content of pulmonary artery through alveolar breath
Breathalyzer: Infrared Light Absorption
Alcohol absorbs a select wavelength, causing the light to decrease in intensity, which is measured by a photoelectric detector
Breathalyzer: Fuel Cell Detector
Converts a fuel and oxidant into an electrical current; breath alcohol is fuel, atmospheric oxygen is the current; Alcohol is converted into acetic acid in the fuel cell
Field Sobriety Tests
preliminary tests; Horizontal-gaze nystagmus, walk and turn, one-leg stand
2 Types of Blood Analysis
Gas chromatography (Forensics) Oxidation of alcohol into acetaldehyde (Hospitals)
Blood Preservation
Addition of an anticoagulant: substance that prevents clotting of blood
Preservative: substance that prevents growth of microorganisms
Refrigeration and airtight container prevent decline in alcohol concentration
