Several factors influence blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Which of the following does not play a role?
Answers
The amount of alcohol consumed
How fast a person drinks
Body weight
Height
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is Height.
Explanation:
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is influenced by several factors, but height is not one of the primary determinants. The main factors that influence BAC include:
- The Amount of Alcohol Consumed:
The more alcohol a person drinks, the higher their BAC will be. Alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout the body. The volume of alcohol consumed directly affects how much is present in the bloodstream, influencing BAC levels. Larger quantities of alcohol lead to higher concentrations. - How Fast a Person Drinks:
The speed at which alcohol is consumed can also impact BAC. Drinking alcohol quickly means that the body may not have enough time to metabolize and process the alcohol before more is ingested. This can result in a higher peak BAC, as the liver processes alcohol at a set rate (approximately 0.015% per hour), and faster consumption may overwhelm the liver’s ability to keep up. - Body Weight:
Body weight plays a significant role in determining BAC. A person with more body mass generally has more water in their body, which helps dilute the alcohol. Thus, a person who weighs more will typically have a lower BAC than someone who weighs less, given the same amount of alcohol consumed. Individuals with higher body fat content may experience a higher BAC than someone with the same weight but more muscle mass because alcohol is less soluble in fat.
Why Height Does Not Affect BAC:
Height itself does not directly influence BAC because it is not closely related to the body’s ability to metabolize or process alcohol. While a taller person might weigh more, which could affect BAC, height alone does not change the rate at which alcohol is absorbed or eliminated from the body. Factors such as body weight and composition (fat vs. muscle) have a more substantial impact on BAC than height.
In conclusion, while the amount of alcohol consumed, the rate at which it’s drunk, and body weight all directly influence BAC, height does not play a significant role in determining BAC levels.