Ethanol - GCSE Biology Definition

Ethanol is a type of alcohol that is often used in drinks like beer and wine, but it is also important in biology and chemistry. It is a clear, colourless liquid that can be made by fermenting sugars, which is a process where tiny organisms like yeast break down sugar in the absence of oxygen. In biology, ethanol is sometimes used to extract DNA from cells because it helps to separate the DNA from other substances. It is also used as a solvent to dissolve other chemical substances and as fuel for some vehicles. Ethanol can affect living organisms, so handling it with care and understanding its effects on the body is important, especially when studying its role in processes like fermentation.