2006-07-01 02:35:46 · 6 answers · asked by vijay 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
At the cellular level, cyanide interferes with the cytochrome oxidase cycle, thereby starving the cells of the oxygen they need to survive.
On the macro scale -- the victim dies of asphyxiation.
However, the movie version of "instantaneous death" by biting on a cyanide capsule is a bit far-fetched. No matter how much you get or how quickly, it is still asphyxiation.
2006-07-01 08:23:20 · answer #1 · answered by Dave_Stark 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How Cyanide Works
2017-01-19 08:02:14 · answer #2 · answered by ayyad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cyanide is a respiratory poison, it stops aerobic respiration in each cell. Aerobic respiration is the cell using oxygen and usually glucose to create an energy molecule called ATP. This process takes place in the cell in an organelle called a Mitochondria. Part of the process is called the electron transport chain, and is the final step in putting the last P on ATP. Cyanide stops the electron transport chain from functioning, and the body quickly runs out of ATP and without that you will live for about 10 seconds. Barbiturates kill in a similar fashion.
2006-07-01 05:02:23 · answer #3 · answered by mr.answerman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When Cyanide is taking first it mmix up with blood then it makes the blood to stop taking Oxyzen from the heart & thus it stop performing the Heart. Thus it kills a person immediately.
2006-07-01 02:52:01 · answer #4 · answered by Junun 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I know that in America's gas chambers, cyanide kills by robbing you of your ability to process oxygen when yoy breath, so you breathe, but nothing happens, and pain and panic ensue.
I have also heard of folks biting down on a cyanide pellet, but I'm not sure how that works.
2006-07-01 02:41:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin.
Oxygen binds to a part of hemoglobin that has iron-it is a complexation or co-ordination reaction. Once red blood cells reach a tissue the pressure is such that favours release of oxygen and complexation of carbon dioxide in its place.
Then the red blood cell goes to the lungs where carbon dioxide is released and oxygen takes its place and the cycle goes on and on.
Cyanide has the ability because of its size, shape and charge to bind extremely strong to hemoglobin and thus it is not possile to carry oxygen any more to the cells in your body.
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs in the same way.
2006-07-01 03:27:25 · answer #6 · answered by bellerophon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋