Question

Cyanide poisoning causes a type of hypoxia by inhibiting cytochrome c oxidase, which is the very last protein in the electron transport chain. A) Explain how/why cyanide inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase interferes with cellular respiration. B) Does the cell have any alternative to keep glycolysis going? C) Explain the purpose of oxygen in respiration.

Answer 1

1. Cyanide inhibits the cytochrome C oxidase and hence it interferes with the whole process of cellular respiration. The cyanide binds to the iron atom present in the cytochrome C oxidase and hence prevents the enzyme from performing its function by acting as irreversible enzyme inhibitor. As the cyanide binds to the cytochrome c oxidase, it prevents the electrons from moving through the electron transport chain to the oxygen and hinders the process of cellular respiration. As the electron is not passed to the oxygen, this prevents the mitochondria from producing ATP. Without the ATP, it the work of the heart and muscle cell instantly stops as they are not able to expand their energy and the individual dies immediately.
2. In humans, there is no alternative to glycolysis and in order for one to produce ATP, it is important that the glucose undergoes the process of glycolysis so that it produces the pyruvate that further moves into other cycle. If there is no glycolysis, the cells will not be able to breakdown the pyruvate molecule and there will not be sufficient energy produced for different functions.
3. The oxygen is very important and helps in the process of cellular respiration. The cellular respiration in turn is an important process which is necessary for production of ATP that provides energy for different work. Hence, in order to produce ATP oxygen is required which is produced by combination of glucose metabolism and oxygen. The main work done by the oxygen is that it accepts electrons during the electron transport chain which are donated or received from the glucose