The Effect of Alcohol on the Body
For students interested in health science, researching and compiling the documented effects of alcohol - in varying amounts - on the body can be an engaging and very informative science fair project!
Blood Alcohol Content
Because one serving of alcohol affects a 100-pound female differently than a 230-pound male (this is due to obvious variations in weight, sex, and body fat), the physical volume of alcohol consumed cannot be used as a proper comparative measurement. Instead, a person's blood alcohol content (BAC) is measured to determine actual alcohol intake and intoxication. BAC, usually expressed as a percentage, measures the volume of alcohol in the blood stream as compared to the volume of blood. Legally, if a person's BAC is over 0.08, they are considered intoxicated.
Project Overview
Designed by middle school student, Carmen Perry, this project explores:
- How behavior is affected at various BAC levels.
- How the body is affected at various BAC levels.
- How prolonged exposure to alcohol affects the body (including the effects on the brain, lungs, heart, stomach, intestines, bones, muscles, and liver).
- Correct serving sizes for alcoholic beverages (and the difference between a glass of wine and a serving of wine).
- How a breathalyzer works as well as a discussion of other sobriety tests.
For Perry's results, be sure to check out her full project page at Online Digital Education Connection's Virtual Science Fair!