At high altitudes, the oxygen level in air is low. Climbers of very tall mountai

Question

At high altitudes, the oxygen level in air is low. Climbers of very tall mountains risk altitude sickness, which is characterized by shortness of breath, weakness dizziness and confusion. The early symptoms of cyanide poisoning are the same as those for altitude sickness. Cyanide binds tightly to Cytochrome c oxidase,a protein complex that is the last component of mitochondrial electron transfer chains. Cytochrome c oxidase with bound cyanide can no longer transfer electrons. Explain why cyanide poisoning starts with the same symptoms as altitude sickness

Explanation / Answer

The early symptoms of cyanide poisoning and mountain sickness are same where most commonly fatigues and difficulty in breathing is observed. The symptoms are similar because in case of cyanide poisoning it leads to a hypoxia condition where the cells are not able to form their ATP. This happens due to inhibition of the mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome c oxidase. It finds to the enzyme and in just few hours, all of the cyanide is metabolized. Cyanide poisoning inhibits the cells from using oxygen and hence the body is not able to form energy molecules i.e ATP. It binds to the cytochrome C oxidase in the mitochondria of the cells and hence prevents it from transporting electrons to oxygen and interferes with the aerobic cellular respiration process. The mitochondrial is not able to produce ATP without oxygen which starts killing the cells that require ATP like nerve cells, muscle cells and heart.

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