3 ms·
But do they also have multiple copies of aldehyde dehydrogenase, the next enzyme? Acetaldehyde is toxic and mutagenic.
by pfdietz 2y ago
But do they also have multiple copies of aldehyde dehydrogenase, the next enzyme? Acetaldehyde is toxic and mutagenic.
- ioblomov 2y agoAccording to the Interwebs, acetaldehyde's toxicity to insects is apparently less studied. Presumably these hornets can take it in stride.
- aithrowawaycomm 2y agoIt seems quite toxic in fruit flies if the hydrogenase has been disabled: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/096517489290115U https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/096517... So to get to OP's point, I am assuming that if the hornets couldn't detoxify acetaldehyde, then they would exhibit some sort of "hangover" even if it didn't kill them. But even the 80% ABV hornets seemed totally unaffected.
- mlyle 2y agoMutagenic things are less of a concern when your lifespan is several months.