Final answer:
The lethal toxic potency of hydrogen cyanide is greater than that of carbon monoxide, making it a highly dangerous compound and more potent inhibitor of cytochrome c oxidase in the electron transport chain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The lethal toxic potency of hydrogen cyanide is greater than that of carbon monoxide. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and carbon monoxide (CO) both bind to cytochrome c oxidase, a critical component of the electron transport chain in mitochondria, which is required for aerobic respiration and ATP synthesis. However, cyanide is a more potent inhibitor compared to carbon monoxide, meaning it takes a smaller amount of cyanide to achieve lethal toxicity. Cyanide's strong affinity for the cytochrome c oxidase leads to rapid and effective inhibition of aerobic metabolism, rendering it highly dangerous and more potent than carbon monoxide. In the context of smoke inhalation, both are dangerous but hydrogen cyanide poses a higher risk due to its greater potency.