National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC) Practice Exam

The metabolism of ethanol primarily occurs in the liver, where it is converted into acetaldehyde and subsequently into acetate, which enters the citric acid cycle. During this metabolic pathway, glucose and acetate are metabolized to produce energy in the form of ATP. As a result of this process, water and carbon dioxide are produced as byproducts.

When ethanol is metabolized, the chemical reactions involve the breakdown of the ethanol molecule, which ultimately leads to the release of hydrogen ions that react with oxygen, forming water. Additionally, as the carbons from ethanol are fully oxidized, carbon dioxide is generated. The production of both water and carbon dioxide is a hallmark of aerobic metabolism, which is consistent with how ethanol is processed in the body.

The other substances listed do not accurately reflect what is produced alongside ATP during ethanol metabolism. Sodium and potassium are electrolytes that are important for various bodily functions but are not the end products of ethanol metabolism. Likewise, sugar and oxygen are not produced; rather, glucose can be utilized, and oxygen is consumed in the process. Lastly, lactic acid is typically associated with anaerobic metabolism and would not be a primary product of ethanol metabolism, which primarily engages in aerobic pathways. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the metabolic outcomes