Final answer:
Cyanide stops the production of ATP by inhibiting cytochrome c oxidase in the electron transport chain, leading to an increase in pH in the intermembrane space and halting ATP synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
If cyanide poisoning occurs, the production of ATP would be halted due to the inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase, a crucial component of the electron transport chain (ETC). As the ETC becomes inhibited, the transfer of electrons through the chain stops, preventing the pumping of protons (hydrogen ions) into the intermembrane space. Normally, this proton gradient creates a pH difference that powers ATP synthase. Without this, the pH of the intermembrane space would increase, as fewer protons would be present there, making it relatively less acidic.
ATP synthesis would be dramatically affected due to the stopping of the ETC. ATP synthase relies on the energy from the proton gradient to catalyze the conversion of ADP to ATP. Since cyanide prevents the establishment of the proton gradient, ATP synthase cannot function, leading to a cessation of ATP production, which is crucial for many cellular processes such as active transport including the movement of Na out of a cell, the movement of K out of a cell, the movement of hydrogen ions across a mitochondrial membrane, and the movement of glucose through the cell membrane.