What enzyme is primarily responsible for aiding the metabolism of alcohol?

Alcohol Dehydrogenase is the primary enzyme responsible for the metabolism of alcohol in the liver. When a person consumes alcoholic beverages, the ethanol in the alcohol is primarily metabolized by this enzyme. Alcohol Dehydrogenase facilitates the conversion of ethanol into acetaldehyde, which is then further metabolized by another enzyme, Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, into acetic acid.

Understanding the role of Alcohol Dehydrogenase is crucial, as it is the first step in the pathway of alcohol metabolism and directly impacts how quickly an individual can process alcohol. Variations in the activity of this enzyme among individuals can lead to differences in alcohol tolerance and susceptibility to intoxication.