What is the primary method of alcohol elimination in the body?

The primary method of alcohol elimination in the body is metabolism. When alcohol is consumed, it is absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to the liver, where it is metabolized by enzymes. The key enzyme involved in this process is alcohol dehydrogenase, which converts ethanol into acetaldehyde, a toxic compound. This is then further metabolized into acetic acid, which eventually gets broken down into carbon dioxide and water, allowing it to be eliminated from the body.

While excretion, respiration, and filtration play roles in the body's overall function and elimination processes, they are not the primary means of eliminating alcohol. Excretion primarily refers to the removal of substances through urine or feces, respiration can contribute to the expulsion of very small amounts of alcohol through breath, and filtration involves the kidneys processing blood but is not a direct process for alcohol elimination. Overall, metabolism is the dominant mechanism driving how alcohol is processed and eliminated from the body.