Can plants get cyanide poisoning?

Question

Since they do not use mitochondria and the electron transport chain to harvest ATP, but rather obtain it from photosynthesis

Answer 1

As stated by others, plants DO have mitochondria and electron transport chains (actually, there's one in photosynthesis), so directly applying cyanide to plants lacking some sort of defense would probably do some damage. However, some plants (and some insects as well) contain an enzyme called beta -Cyano-Ala synthase (CAS), which detoxifies cyanide and prevents the poison from accumulating and causing damage.

Answer 2

Plants do have mitochondria and do undergo cellular respiration (especially at the roots underground where photosynthesis obviously does not occur).
Plants can get cyanide poisoning because of the fact that they respire, but some plants can resist cyanide poisoning. In fact, many plants have chemical toxins that actually produce hydrogen cyanonide and these toxins are used in defense against herbivores (insects and mammals) that may try and eat the plant. When an animal tries to bite down on the plant, it releases enzymes which breaks down a cyanide containing compound and release HCN into the air, a toxin to most living organisms. These types of toxins are concentrated mainly in the leaves where photosynthesis occurs and not respiration.

Answer 3

Plant cells have mitochondria and also use the electron transport chain, but in a different way than do animal cells.

Answer 4

It CAN... Cyanide works by reacting with metals in an organism and affects its functionality. In animals it binds to Fe (iron) which is involved in carrying oxygen.. Plants have Fe-dependant enzymes, along with cobalt and sulfur etc... which can react with cyanide. SO yes it is possible to poison a plant with cyanide though not with the mitochondrial pathway (since they dont have Mito's)

Answer 5

they DO use the etc to harvest ATP if i'm not wrong...