2006-12-05 10:48:02 · 5 answers · asked by attina 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Onions cells contain traces of sulfur, that are broken and released into the air when cut. These sulfured compounds react with the moisture in your eyes forming sulfuric acid, which cause the burning sensation you feel. The defense mechanism of the eye is to create tears to dilute the acid. So your tears protect your eyes from damage.
So to answer both your questions:
1. The stinging feeling is caused by sulfer from the onion cell
2. The tears are a defense mechanism to protect your eyes from potential damage.
2006-12-05 10:51:51 · answer #1 · answered by Peter 2 · 339⤊ 25⤋
It is the last defense mechanism for the onion, seriously! Think I heard that also, on Alton Brown...
2006-12-05 18:56:00 · answer #2 · answered by oceansnsunsets 4 · 34⤊ 96⤋
Inside the onion cells there are some chemical compounds which contain sulfur. When you cut an onion its cells are broken and released into the air as a more volatile sulfured products.
These sulfured compounds react with the moisture in your eyes forming sulfuric acid, which cause the burning sensation you feel. The brain reacts by telling your tear ducts to produce more water, to dilute the acid. So you cry to protect your eyes.
2006-12-05 18:55:48 · answer #3 · answered by jazzed2b 1 · 137⤊ 16⤋
The juice comes out of it and hits your eyes...its not a lot though so you don't really feel it.
2006-12-05 18:55:34 · answer #4 · answered by ♫ giD∑■η ♫ 5 · 7⤊ 163⤋
there are chemicals in the onion that are released when you cut it open...exactly what they are i'm not sure.
2006-12-05 18:51:32 · answer #5 · answered by sarah 3 · 50⤊ 51⤋