Cho's family is from Japan. Cho doesn't drink alcohol often, but when she does, her face and chest flush red and she feels really sick to her stomach. She likely has a gene that causes her to produce less ______.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms Cho experiences after drinking alcohol, including facial flushing and nausea, are characteristic of Asian flush or alcohol flush reaction, which is caused by the inability to break down acetaldehyde, a byproduct of alcohol metabolism. Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase is the enzyme responsible for converting acetaldehyde into a less toxic substance, and individuals with a genetic mutation that reduces acetaldehyde dehydrogenase activity are more likely to experience Asian flush symptoms. Thus, the correct choice is A, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase.

Cho's Family Is from Japan