Why do we tear when we cut onions?

Question

There is a silly story to it...who knows it?

Answer 1

As onions are sliced, cells are broken open. Onion cells have two sections, one with enzymes called alliances, the other with sulfides (amino acid sulphoxides). The enzymes break down the sulphides and generate sulphenic acids. Sulphenic acids are unstable and decompose into a volatile gas called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. The gas then dissipates through the air and eventually reaches one's eye, where it will react with the water to form a dilute solution of sulphuric acid. The sulphuric acid irritates the nerve endings in the eyes, making them sting. The tear glands then produce tears to dilute and flush out the irritant.

Answer 2

Oions only make you cry becuse your chopping them the wrong way see what you want to do is cut agasint the grain and the little black hairs that are on the onion just lightly shave it with you knief don't cut and the vains you see in the onion cut agasint the grain not with and this is why

When you slice through an onion, you break open a number of onion cells. Some of these cells have enzymes inside of them, and when they are sliced open, the enzymes escape. The enzymes then decompose some of the other substances that have escaped from sliced cells. Some of these substances, amino acid sulfoxides, form sulfenic acids, which then quickly rearrange themselves into a volatile gas.

The gas reaches your eyes and reacts with the water that keeps them moist. This changes the chemical's form again, producing, among other things, a mild sulfuric acid, which irritates the eyes. The nerve endings in your eyes are very sensitive and so they pick up on this irritation (this is why our eyes sting when we slice onions). The brain reacts by telling your tear ducts to produce more water, to dilute the irritating acid so the eyes are protected. Your other reaction is probably to rub your eyes, but this will actually make the irritation a lot worse, of course, if you have onion juices all over your hands.

Answer 3

Because when you cut an onion while looking at it, the very small droplets fly into your eyes and irritates the lacrimonial gland which produces tears.
The story behind this must be that: if you need an onion to cry you are not really crying with sad feelings. An onion is used in films making to make the actor cry with real tears while he's not feeling like crying for real.

Answer 4

I've never heard the candle one... but actually, a simple way I've found that reduces the tears is to run some water over the onion that I'm cutting, and use as sharp a knife as possible. What they said above about the cells is correct, and if you have a sharp knife and a little water, you won't be as abrasive to the cells as you would be with a duller knife and a dry onion.

Answer 5

I don't really know the silly story behind it but I do know that if you stick your tongue out while chopping onions your eyes don't water - something to do with the enzymes from the onion reacting to water - so they are attracted to your tongue and not your eyes!!!!

Answer 6

Actually, when the cell wall of an onion is broken it causes a chemical reaction which produces and acid. The acidic gas causes us to cry.

Answer 7

Volatile sulfur containing compounds dissolve into the liquid coating of the eye, this results in tears to wash off these compounds.

Answer 8

The best way to make u stop watering is: next time you're chopping onions, light a candle next to the chopping borad and open the window.
(make sure the candle is biggish)