Which animals can drink alcohol and not get drunk?
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People drink alcohol for a very long time. Archaeologists have found evidence that beer was brewed by as many as 13 000 (!) years ago in what is now Israel. To try this drink for obvious reasons anymore. But not only the person feels a weakness for drinks containing ethanol. So, on the thirst for alcohol has "caught" the elephants are specially chosen to supply the fruit that allow you to get drunk. In addition, some primates sometimes deliberately looking for overripe fruit that contains ethyl alcohol, or fermented juice. In their case this is due to the need for additional calories. But which animals are the most resistant to alcohol?
While people jokingly (I hope) trying to drink beer dogs and cats, scientists from the canadian University of calgary the ability of mammals to metabolize ethyl alcohol. The bigger it is, the longer the animal can drink alcohol and never get drunk. To find out, the University staff decided to find out the contents of the ADH7 gene in different mammals: it prevents drunkenness, vyrabatyvaet not only in the stomach but the mouth and even the esophagus.
The study involved 85 species of mammals — from cetaceans and primates to rodents, artiodactyls and Robotnik. Scientists studied a gene ADH7 have a particular type, and the presence of mutations in animals, which could lead to the fact that this gene is not functioning at full strength. In addition, attention has also been adopted by the diet of animals: if it eats more fruit and drinks the nectar, its immunity to ethanol should be higher.
What animals drink alcohol?
Some animals — for instance, horses, ADH7 were not found at all, but most of the time he was found — 79 of the 85 species have this gene. However, as the researchers note, in many cases, the gene has become pseudogene: that is, he once was, but through evolution has ceased to function, although it left a small mark. To such animals, scientists have classified Guinea pigs, rhinos and many others. So don't try to spoil your Guinea pig, she is not able to effectively metabolize ethanol, alcohol can die.
The Most active gene ADH7 been found in primates (coincidence? I don't think) and bats — for example, bats. These animals are able to metabolize alcohol is ten times better than other mammals, meaning they can drink alcohol and for a long time not to feel intoxication. According to scientists, the results of the study cannot be transferred to humans, since in humans there are many other enzymes that metabolize ethanol.
No wonder so primates like fruit and cheese — look how happy
But if you use it in too large quantities, no enzymes fail, and there will inevitably be alcohol, which can then go into the poisoning. If you not to drink alcohol in moderation, the brain will always be able, if he is not getting enough oxygen. This will lead to the degradation of many mental and physical functions — a condition comparable to that if at once to drink a lot of alcohol. People can't stand on your feet and aware for their actions. And alcoholism close.
What affects the tolerance to alcohol?
The Researchers came to the conclusion that the ability to tolerate alcohol is influenced by many factors — from the evolutionary history of the animal to the ecological environment in which it lives. So often questioning laboratory experiments with alcohol on mice and rats: their lifestyle is too different from the human.
At the same time, some people (although this is rare) are able to get drunk, not drinking alcohol. One American — carbohydrates in the intestine communicates with brewer's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is produced alcohol. He later gets into human blood, which is enough for intoxication. The fact that he was taking drugs which affected the microbiome of the intestine, and increased the number of fungi.
Alcohol can cope not only mammals, but some species of fish. For example, goldfish and carp are able to stop almost all processes of life, when you need it and to fall into a state of suspended animation. Ethanol, their body produces with the help of special proteins, processing the lactic acid into alcohol. The longer gold fish holds ice in an oxygen-free environment, the more it produces lactic acid and, consequently, of ethanol. That's why these fish are so deftly freezes into ice and thus survive the winter at temperatures below zero.
in primates and humans found something else in common
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