Question

Why is cyanide ion negatively charged?

Answer 1

Cyanide ions are negatively charged because they have gained an extra electron. Cyanide poisoning inhibits cytochrome c oxidase, leading to a decrease in ATP synthesis and a decrease in the pH of the intermembrane space.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cyanide ion is negatively charged because it has gained an extra electron. This extra electron gives the ion a negative charge, making it attract to positively charged ions or molecules.

In the context of cyanide poisoning, when cyanide inhibits cytochrome c oxidase, it disrupts the electron transport chain, which leads to a decrease in ATP synthesis. The pH of the intermembrane space is expected to decrease as a result of the disruption in the electron transport chain.

Answer 2

The cyanide is
`CN^(-)`
A carbon atom has 4 valance electrons and nitrogen has 5. Below is a Lewis-dot-structure of cyanide.
:N≡C.
The carbon atom is still one electron short of having a full octet and so it will seize another electron from almost anything, making the cyanide ion negative and whatever it took the electron from it now positive.