2006-12-17 00:34:26 · 3 answers · asked by ? 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Cyanide is an irreversible enzyme inhibitor. Cyanide ions bind to the iron atom of the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase (also known as aa3) in the fourth complex in the mitochondrial membrane in the mitochondria of cells. This denatures the enzyme, and the final transport of electrons from cytochrome c oxidase to oxygen cannot be completed. As a result, the electron transport chain is disrupted, meaning that the cell can no longer aerobically produce ATP for energy.
Tissues that mainly depend on aerobic respiration, such as the central nervous system and the heart, are particularly affected.
Plants contain a cyanide-insensitive pathway (photosynthesis instead of the redox reaction) for respiration in their mitochondria, and as a result are insensitive to concentrations of cyanide that are lethal to animals.
ANTIDOTES ARE AVAILABLE FOR DETOXIFICATION BUT IMMUNITY CANNOT BE BUILT UP.
Standard cyanide antidote kit first uses a small inhaled dose of amyl nitrite, followed by intravenous sodium nitrite, followed by intravenous sodium thiosulfate. The nitrites oxidize some of the hemoglobin's iron from the ferrous state to the ferric state, converting the hemoglobin into methemoglobin. (Treatment with nitrites is not innocuous. Methemoglobin cannot carry oxygen. The adult dose can cause a fatal methemoglobinemia in children or may cause profound hypotension. Treatment of children affected with cyanide intoxication must be individualized and is based upon their body weight and hemoglobin concentration.) Cyanide preferentially bonds to methemoglobin rather than the cytochrome oxidase, converting methemoglobin into cyanmethemoglobin. In the last step, the intravenous sodium thiosulfate reacts with the cyanmethemoglobin yielding thiocyanate, sulfite, and hemoglobin. The thiocyanate is excreted.
2006-12-17 00:46:20 · answer #1 · answered by Som™ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, never. It's the worst poison. It just stops all processes in the body such as active transport. Though you will be able to breath for a few minutes( anaerobically), but after that..... you know!!!
2006-12-17 00:58:24 · answer #2 · answered by fs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
WTF are you planning on trying this? What kind of question is this... why the hell am I answering it..
Take cyanide ...... let see, I'm not a scientist, but I'm pretty sure you'll die.
2006-12-17 00:53:48 · answer #3 · answered by deanie1962 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋