Describe the effect cyanide ion CN on oxidative phosphorylat

Describe the effect cyanide ion, CN-, on oxidative phosphorylation and the citric acid cycle. Why is cyanide deadly? Please draw, as I have illustrated in class, the basic paradigm between the intracellular compartment the extracellular compartment and the vascular space. Please appropriately label the following endothelial cell, interstitial fluid and extracellular matrix, basal lamina, plasma membrane, nucleus, mitochondria and red blood cell. Compare the resting membrane potential of a neuron with potassium and sodium equilibrium potentials. Explain how this comparison relates to the relative permeabilities of the resting plasma membrane to these two ions.

Solution

Answer

The process in cell metabolism by which respiratory enzymes in the mitochondria synthesize ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) during the oxidation of NADH+H⁺ and FADH₂ by molecular oxygen.

The enzymes of respiratory chain or electransport chain are: NADH dehydrogenas, Succinate dehydrogenase, Ubiquinone-cytochrome c oxidoreductase, Cytochrome c, Cytochrome oxidase and ATP synthase

Cyanide is rare and potentially deadly poison. It works by making the body unable to use oxygen which is life sustaining molecule.

Cyanide inhibits electron transfer in electron transport chain by inhibiting the activity of cytochrome oxidase (Complex IV)
Thus blocks the transfer of electrons from cytochrome oxidase to oxygen, hence oxygen is not utilized.

This inturn stops the process of ATP synthesis which is a vital molecule of cell, thereby leading to cell death.

The end product of citric acid cycyle if NADH+H and FADH2 molecules.

More than 90% of the oxygen consumed by the body is used by the electron transport chain to oxidize NADH+H⁺ and FADH₂.

When electron transport chain is disrupted, this indirectely efffects the citric acid cycle