Many toxins and poisons block certain enzymes in the mitochondria. For example, many fruits, including apricots, apples, plums, peaches, and cherries, contain seeds and pits that can cause the formation and release of the poison cyanide if they are ground and ingested. Cyanide binds to an enzyme in the inner mitochondrial membrane critical to energy production. Why would this be fatal for a cell?

Question

Biology

Michaela Burns

10 February, 17:35

Many toxins and poisons block certain enzymes in the mitochondria. For example, many fruits, including apricots, apples, plums, peaches, and cherries, contain seeds and pits that can cause the formation and release of the poison cyanide if they are ground and ingested. Cyanide binds to an enzyme in the inner mitochondrial membrane critical to energy production. Why would this be fatal for a cell?

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Gaven · Answer 1

Cyanide is a type of poison which blocks certain enzymes in the mitochondria. It is found in the seeds of many fruits such as apple, cherries, apricots and peaches.

This chemical binds to the enzyme present in the inner membrane of the mitochondria, This chemical in harmful in the way that cells will not undergo adequate organelle functioning.

The cells would be not able to reproduce and will have inadequate distribution of ions.