Methanol is toxic because
[amp_mcq option1=āmethanol coagulates the protoplasmā option2=āmethanol gets oxidised to methanal in liver which coagulates the protoplasmā option3=āmethanol gets oxidised to acetic acid in liver which coagulates the protoplasmā option4=āmethanol gets oxidised to CO in liver which coagulates the protoplasmā correct=āoption2ā³]
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UPSC CDS-1 ā 2024
Methanol is toxic because it is metabolized into highly toxic substances in the body.
In the liver, methanol is oxidized by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase primarily into formaldehyde, which is also known as methanal. Formaldehyde is a potent toxin that can damage tissues, including causing the denaturation and coagulation of proteins, which is akin to coagulating protoplasm. Formaldehyde is further oxidized to formic acid, which contributes to metabolic acidosis.