Cyanide is a potent toxin that can kill a human in minutes. It functions by inhibiting complex IV of the electron transport chain (ETC). Based on your understanding of cellular respiration, Illustrate the ETC. Be sure to include all components of the electron transport chain, electron donors, and the movement of both electrons and protons. Indicate with an “X” the site of action for cyanide (color might be helpful) Explain why cyanide exposure is lethal. Briefly describe the effects it has on each process of cellular respiration. Solution Cyanide poisoning occurs when a person comes in direct exposure of cyanide gas. This cyanide gas interfere with complex IV of electron transport chain. This complex IV is also known as cytochrome C oxidase. it is a large transmembrane protein complex found in mitochondria of human cells. This mitochondra is the cell organalle where cellular respiration through electron transport chain occurs. Electron transport chain: There are 5 components of electron transport chain which are found on the inner membrane of mitochondria. 1. Nicotonamide nucleotides 2. Flavoproteins 3. Iron - sulphur proteins 4. Quinones and 5. Cytochromes cytochrome I cytochrome II cytochrome III cytochrome IV During cellular respiration the cells consume oxygen for the oxidation of nutrients ( glucose, fatty acids, amino acids) and this oxygen act as electron accapter. After kreb\'s cycle the electron moves via NAD to FAD and then electron moves to cytochromes I to cytochrome II, cytochrome III and finally to cytochrome IV. This cytochrome IV transfer electrons to oxygen atom due to which oxygen atoms consumes 4 H+ ion from matrix to form water molecule. Due to consumption of 4 hydrogen ion from matrix, 4 hydrogen ions from outside the mitochondria enters to the matrix and converts ADP into ATP to store the biochemical energy. Hence the whole process of electron transport chain can be shown as follows: Electron------NAD------FAD-------Cytochrome I------cytochrome III-----\"X\"----cytochrome IV Transfer of electrons from cytochrome III to cytochrome IV is catalysed by enzyme cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV). During cyanide poisoning the cyanide ion interfers with this cytochrome c oxidase enzyme and inhibit the transfer of electrons from cytochrome III to IV. Since cyanide poisonong interferes with cellular respiration it interrupts the energy source for humane being. It creates hypoxia. Thatswhy cyanide poisoning could be lethal..