Question

Cyanide inhibits a key enzyme in cellular respiration. Discuss the mechanism and effect of enzyme inhibition.

Answer 1

It is to be noted initially that cyanide offers competitive inhibition to the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase thereby preventing the cell to no longer produce ATP for energy.Cyanide prevents ATP production via aerobic respiration, leading to eventual deathIt binds to an allosteric site on cytochrome oxidase – a carrier molecule that forms part of the electron transport chain. For example, Potassium Cyanide is an irreversible Inhibitor of Cytochrome C Oxidase, which takes part in respiration reactions in cells.By changing the shape of the active site, cytochrome oxidase can no longer pass electrons to the final acceptor (oxygen).Consequently, the electron transport chain cannot continue to function and ATP is not produced via aerobic respiration.