Question

List the steps of oxidative phosphorylation that would be altered after cyanide binds to the electron transport chain.

Answer 1

The ETC or electron transport chain is a series of molecules embedded in the mitochondrial membrane. The first molecule accepts protons and electrons from the products of the Krebs Cycle. The electrons are passed from molecule to molecule and finally react with oxygen and protons to form water.

Without oxygen the final reaction cannot occur. This causes a traffic jam in that electrons further back on the chain cannot be transferred. The entire process stops. In the absence of oxygen the ETC stops working and no ATP is generated. Cyanide prevents oxygen from binding to the final molecule in the electron transport chain. Individuals poisoned with cyanide die from oxygen deprivation even though their cells may have abundant oxygen.