Consider a general enzyme catalyzed reaction:
E +S -----> ES------->P
the rate of an enzyme catalyzed reaction is dependent only on the enzyme [alcohol dehydrogenase]concentration NOT on the substrate [ethanol--I hope
]
this is because most of of the substrate is bound in a rate limiting ES complex and there for only enzyme concentration determines the decomposition rate therefor the reaction is ZERO order in Substrate and first order in enzyme;
Zero order mean that the rate is independent of concentration and first order mean that if you double the Enzyme concentration you'll double the rate:
Since the amount of this enzyme made by the liver is dependent on genetics it is true that individuals may have slightly quicker decomposition because they produce more enzyme but the how fast you process a certain amount of alcohol does not depend on the amount of alcohol consumed only time; this myth arises from confusion about the above fact..
PA