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"No breakdown of acetaldehyde because of null
polymorph of hepitatic aldehyde dehydrogenase" This entry, found in
the model graphic below, needs clarification.
"Aldehyde dehydrogenase" is an enzyme which is genetically encoded in a gene found in the mitochondria (energy producing organ of a cell). It is the main defense against acetaldehyde, as its function is to break apart acetaldehyde into water and acetone. "Hepitatic" means the enzyme is present only in the liver. "Null polymorph" means it is a faulty gene, and the enzyme doesn't work! People with this faulty gene cannot handle alcohol - it makes them quite sick from acetaldehyde poisoning. 30% to 50% of Orientals have this problem, and about 5% of European Caucasians also have it.
Even in a person with a normal enzyme, this defence can be overwhelmed by too much acetaldihyde.
