Question

Which describes the effect of cyanide on cellular respiration?

Question 20 of 25 ) Which describes the effect of cyanide on cellular respiration? O inhibits the the breakdown of acetyl-CoA by the citric acid cycle O inhibits the function of pyruvate kinase in glycolysis O inhibits the function of cytochrome c oxidase in the electron transport chain O inhibits the production of acetyl-CoA by the pyruvate dehyrogenase complex

Answer 1

Answer:

Inhibits the function of cytochrome c oxidase in the electron transport chain.

Explanation:

Cyanide deactivates the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase. This is the last enzyme of the electron transport chain (the final step of cell respiration). The electron transport chain allows a great concentration of protons (H+ ions) to build up in the matrix of mitochondria so that they can diffuse back through a channel which in turn synthesizes ATP. Finally, cyanide stops the last step of cell respiration from occurring and as such inhibits ATP synthesis. Thus cyanide is lethal because it prevents production of ATP and a person dies because it is deprived of chemical energy to perform the many numerous processes that sustain life.