Methanol toxicity

High school (ages 12+)
Human Body

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/methanol-toxicity

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary toxic metabolites?Formic acid and formaldehyde, produced by the metabolism of methanol
2. What is the antidote mechanism?Fomepizole or ethanol inhibit alcohol dehydrogenase, blocking toxic metabolite formation
3. What is methanol and why is it dangerous?Methanol is a type of alcohol that can be found in some household products. When swallowed, it turns into toxic chemicals that can hurt the body.
4. How does methanol make people feel sick?The body changes methanol into formaldehyde and then formic acid, which can stop cells from getting enough oxygen and cause serious problems.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase (ADH): An enzyme in the liver that initiates the metabolism of alcohols.
Metabolic Acidosis: A condition characterized by an excess of acid in the body's fluids, impairing cellular function.
Osmolar Gap: The difference between the measured and calculated osmolality of serum, indicative of unmeasured solutes like toxic alcohols.