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juicylucy juicylucy
wrote...
14 years ago
why does cyanide act so quickly?
explain this using active transport as part of your answer
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wrote...
Educator
14 years ago
Hi juicylucy, thanks for your question. Here is the answer:

Cyanide blocks aerobic respiration by inhibiting the protein cytochrome c - the last step in the electron transport chain in mitochondria. It attaches irreversibly to the iron-ion of the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondria of cells. Thus it blocks the electron transport which means that it is disabeling energy conversion. ATP can not be produced and the cell dies. In order to perform active transport, you need ATP molecules! Proteins that perform active transport need an energy source but if that energy source is not being produced as a result of cyanide, then there will be no active transport across a cell membrane. Active transport is needed to pump out ions and maintain the correct osmotic balance.

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juicylucy Author
wrote...
14 years ago
Thank you soo much, it really helped  Slight Smile  Smiling Face with Open Mouth 
wrote...
Educator
14 years ago
np 8)
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