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Why is cyanide so lethal

User Osuwariboy
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2 Answers

1 vote

Answer:

Cyanide prevents the cells of the body from using oxygen.

Step-by-step explanation:

When this happens, the cells die. Cyanide is more harmful to the heart and brain than to other organs because the heart and brain use a lot of oxygen. Cyanide poisons the mitochondrial electron transport chain within cells and renders the body unable to derive energy (adenosine triphosphate-ATP) from oxygen. Specifically, it binds to the a3 portion (complex IV) of cytochrome oxidase and prevents cells from using oxygen, causing rapid death

User Birlla
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6 votes

Step-by-step explanation:

It prevents the cells of the body from using oxygen and when this happens the cells die. It is most harmful for the heart and the brain because they use a lot of oxygen.

User PDG
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