Cyanide acts as a mitochondrial poison by blocking the final step in the electron transport chain. What willhappen to human red blood cells if they are placed in an isotonic solution containing cyanide?

A) The cell shape will be maintained, but the mitochondria will be poisoned.

B) The cells will lyse as the cyanide concentration increases inside the cell.

C) As a protective mechanism, the cells will switch to anaerobic metabolism.

D) The cells will not be able to carry oxygen.

E) The cells will probably be unaffected.

Answer: Option E

Explanation:

The isotonic solution of the cyanide will not affect the cell by any means because there will not be any net movement of the particles from the inside of the cell to the outside and outside to inside.

There will be no osmotic gradient hence, the process inside the cell will not be affected by the osmotic gradient.

As cyanide is a poisonous in nature they hinder in the process of cellular respiration but as it is put in isotonic solution it will not affect the cell.

The correct answer will be option-E

Explanation:

Cyanide is a poisonous substance which is considered the inhibitor of the cellular respiration. The cyanide inhibits the process by inhibiting the complex IV which transfers the electrons to the oxygen thus, block the transfer of the electron.

The isotonic solution is the solution which contains an equal amount of solute to the cell, as a result, no osmotic gradient develops. This leads to the no movement of solute across the semipermeable membrane. When a cell is placed in the isotonic solution, the cell remains unaffected.

Thus, option-E is the correct answer.