How does cyanide disrupt cellular respiration at the molecular
level, and what physiological effects does this disruption have on
the human body?
Mehmet Göktuğ Yıldız 9/B 901
Introduction
Cyanide is a highly toxic chemical compound that can exist in various forms. Its toxicity comes from its ability to interfere with essential
biochemical processes, specifically cellular respiration. Chemical structure: Cyanide contains the cyano group (−C≡N), which consists of a
carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom. (Figure 1.1) Cyanide ions (CN⁻) are toxic because they inhibit cytochrome c oxidase in
mitochondria, disrupting the process of cellular respiration, as mentioned earlier. This deprives cells of energy, leading to rapid physiological
collapse. (ATSDR, 2006). While regulated doses of cyanide have anti-cancer effects, cyanide is generally considered to be a toxic substance and
throughout history, cyanide has been used as a method of assassination and toxic warfare. Cyanide poisoning can be treated using specific
antidotal therapies immediately after exposure. Otherwise, cyanide poisoning can be lethal. 0.05 grams of hydrogen cyanide and depending on a
person's mass, 0.15~0.3 g of potassium cyanide acts rapidly. (NCBI, 2013).
Chemical Structure Of Cyanide Cyanide Poisoning On a Cellular Level
The term 'cyanide' typically refers to chemical compounds that
contain the cyano group (–C≡N), a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen
atom. “Many substances contain cyanide, but not all of them are deadly
poisons. Sodium cyanide (NaCN), potassium cyanide (KCN), hydrogen
cyanide (HCN), and cyanogen chloride (CNCl) are lethal, but thousands of
compounds called nitriles contain the cyanide group yet aren't as toxic. In
fact, you can find cyanide in nitriles used as pharmaceuticals, such as
Cyanide as a Poison citalopram (Celexa) and cimetidine (Tagamet). Nitriles aren't as dangerous
because they don't readily release the CN- ion, which is the group that acts as
a metabolic poison.”(Helmenstine, 2020) “The cyanide ion, CN-, binds to the
Historical accounts suggest that early poisons, such as cherry laurel
iron atom in cytochrome C oxidase in the mitochondria of cells. It acts as an
water—which can release cyanide—may have been used during the
irreversible enzyme inhibitor, preventing cytochrome C oxidase from doing
Roman Empire, although specific use by Emperor Nero is not well-
documented. During World War I, cyanide-based chemical agents
its job, which is to transport electrons to oxygen in the electron transport
such as hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen chloride were developed and chain of aerobic cellular respiration. Without the ability to use oxygen,
occasionally deployed, though their use was limited due to practical mitochondria can't produce the energy carrier adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
difficulties in effective delivery. Both World Wars saw the use of Tissues that require this form of energy, such as heart muscle cells and nerve
cyanide: during World War I, it was employed by French and cells, quickly expend all their energy and start to die. When a large enough
Austrian troops; during World War II, Nazi Germany used the number of critical cells die, the body dies.” (Taylor, 2006)
rodenticidal product Zyklon B to kill millions of people. In the
1980s, cyanide may have been used in the Iran-Iraq War, on the
Kurds in Iraq, and in Syria. In 1995, the Japanese cult Aum Electron transport chain image
Shinrikyo placed cyanide in subway bathrooms. (Johns Hopkins depicting 4 complexes for regulating
electron and proton exchange in order
Center for Health Security, 2023) for cellular respiration to occur.
Cyanide binds to complex IV,
effectively halting the respiration
Symptoms Of Cyanide Poisoning process.
In case of a cyanide exposure, treatment must be administered
immediately. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning are as follows:
Overall weakness
Nausea Experimentation Process
Confusion
Lethargy According to a research conducted by the Korean National Forensic Service between the years 2005 and
Headache 2010, out of 255 cyanide poisoning cases reported to the Forensic Service, 39 cases have resulted in death. The
same research also categorizes cyanide poisoning as homicide, suicide, or accidental ingestion. 97.3% of the
Difficulty breathing participants ingested cyanide with the intentions of suicide while four participants were listed as homicide. Two
Loss of consciousness people accidentally ingested cyanide. Out of all of the fatalities, 37 patients died while receiving treatment. It is
generally considered, unless stated otherwise, that people who died of cyanide poisoning have ingested cyanide
A faint smell of almonds in one’s breath or surroundings
through oral administration. In the context of this research, oral administration accounts for 98.8% of the cases,
The following factors affect the lethality of cyanide poisoning: and 3 people died from inhalation.(National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2013)
The dose
The type of cyanide (Potassium Cyanide, Hydrogen
Number of cyanide poisonings in 255 people by age groups
Cyanide)
How long the exposure lasted
(California Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.)
How does cyanide disrupt cellular respiration at the molecular
level, and what physiological effects does this disruption have on
the human body?
Mehmet Göktuğ Yıldız 9/B 901
Cytochrome C Oxidase
Substitution Of Quinoline Derivatives With Potassium Cyanide Paragraf metniniz
Pathological Investigation of Cyanide
Sources
National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2013).Cyanide Poisoning Deaths Detected at the National Forensic Service Headquarters in Seoul of Korea: A Six Year Survey (2005~2010). PubMed
Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3834424/
Taylor, J. (2006). Toxicological profile for cyanide. US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Parker-Cote, J.L, et. al. "Challenges in the diagnosis of acute cyanide poisoning." Clinical Toxicology (Phila), vol. 56, no. 7, 2018, p. 609–617, doi:10.1080/15563650.2018.1435886
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. (2023). Cyanide Factsheet. https://centerforhealthsecurity.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/cyanide.pdf
vvd
California Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). An overview and comparison of methods for cyanide analysis. State Water Resources Control Board. Retrieved from waterboards.ca.gov
Mills, E. M., Gunasekar, P. G., & Boehning, D. (2022). The two faces of cyanide: An environmental toxin and a potential mitochondria-targeted medicine. Frontiers in Immunology, 13, 9291117.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.9291117
Healthline. (n.d.). Cyanide poisoning: Symptoms, causes, and treatment. Retrieved January 29, 2025, from https://www.healthline.com/health/cyanide-poisoning#symptoms
Harvard Online. (2017, October 9). Electron transport chain [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/LQmTKxI4Wn4
Osak, M., Buszewicz, G., Baj, J., & Teresiński, G. (2021). Determination of cyanide in blood for forensic toxicology purposes—A novel NCI GC-MS/MS technique. Molecules, 26(17), 5638.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8469058/
