Oxidative Phosphorylation and Cyanide Poisoning

            Oxidative Phosphorylation is a metallic pathway in which enzymes are utilized by cells for oxidizing nutrients. During the process, energy is released which is consumed in the production of ATP or adenosine triphosphate. In mitochondria, this process occurs within eukaryotes. Oxidative phosphorylation is carried out by all aerobic organisms. The rate of pervasiveness is quite high in the pathway because it is an effective manner of releasing energy in comparison with alternative processes fermentation. Electrons, during this process of oxidative phosphorylation, are transferred to electron acceptors from electron donors such as oxygen. These redox reactions, in eukaryotes, are conducted by protein complexes present within the membrane of mitochondria of a cell. These proteins are referred to as transport chains of electrons. The energy which is released by the flowing electrons is utilized for transporting protons across the membrane of mitochondria. Potential energy is generated by it in pH gradient form.

 Cyanide poisoning is actually a form of poisoning which develops due to increased exposure to cyanide forms. Its primitive symptoms include vomiting, breath shortness, rapid heart rate, and dizziness, and headache. Compounds which contain toxic cyanide involve cyanide salts and hydrogen cyanide gas. In general, poisoning is comparatively common from breathing smoke which results from a house fire. Some other exposure routes include workplaces which are involved medication nitroprusside, some specific insecticides, and metal polishing. When cyanide poisoning occurs, ATP is not created by organisms. It is primarily due to the inhibition of cytochrome c-oxidase.

            During the process of cyanide poisoning, cyanide is metabolized quickly to thiocyanate and 2-amino-2-thiazoline carboxylic acid. In only a single ingestion’s short period, no cyanide can be identified because it is completely metabolized unless death occurs (Hall, Klein-Flügge, Howarth, & Attwell, 2012).

References of Oxidative Phosphorylation

Hall, C. N., Klein-Flügge, M. C., Howarth, C., & Attwell, D. (2012). Oxidative phosphorylation, not glycolysis, powers presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms underlying brain information processing. Journal of Neuroscience, 32(26), 8940-8951.