Chapter 13, Problem 8P

Answers to all problems are at the end of this book. Detailed solutions are available in the Student Solutions Manual, Study Guide, and Problems Book.

Using the Equations of Enzyme Kinetics to Treat Methanol Intoxication Liver alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) is relatively nonspecific and will oxidize ethanol or other alcohols, including methanol. Methanol oxidation yields formaldehyde, which is quite toxic, causing, among other things, blindness. Mistaking it for the cheap wine he usually prefers, my dog Clancy ingested about 50 mL of windshield washer fluid (a solution 50% in methanol). Knowing that methanol would be excreted eventually by Clancy's kidneys if its oxidation could be blocked, and realizing that, in terms of methanol oxidation by ADH. ethanol would act as a competitive inhibitor, I decided to offer Clancy some wine. How much of Clancy's favorite vintage (12% ethanol) must he consume in order to lower the activity of his ADH on methanol to 5% of its normal value if the K_m values of canine ADH for ethanol and methanol are 1 millimolar and 10 millimolar, respectively? (The K₁ for ethanol in its role as competitive inhibitor of methanol oxidation by ADH is the same as its Km) Both the methanol and ethanol will quickly distribute throughout Clancy's body fluids, which amount to about 15 L. Assume the densities of 50% methanol and the wine are both 0.9 g/mL.