Knowra Hydrogen cyanide Hydrogen cyanide Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a volatile, highly toxic compound consisting of hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen. It is a weak acid that readily inhibits cellular respiration.
Cytochrome c oxidase : A mitochondrial enzyme complex that transfers electrons to oxygen during aerobic respiration. Cyanide binds this enzyme and prevents cells from using oxygen to make ATP.
Gold cyanidation : An industrial process that uses cyanide solutions to dissolve and recover gold from ore. HCN can form when cyanide-bearing process solutions become acidic.
Cassava : A tropical root crop whose tissues can contain cyanogenic compounds. Some cassava varieties release HCN when their tissues are damaged or inadequately processed.
Hydrogen sulfide : A colorless, toxic gas composed of hydrogen and sulfur. It is another small, volatile, acutely toxic compound, but acts through different biochemical targets.
Cellular respiration : The set of metabolic reactions by which cells extract energy from nutrients. HCN disrupts its oxygen-dependent final stage, causing cellular oxygen starvation.
Acrylonitrile : An industrial chemical used to make acrylic fibers, plastics, and synthetic rubber. Hydrogen cyanide is a feedstock in one major route to acrylonitrile.
Amygdalin : A cyanogenic glycoside found in plants such as bitter almonds and apricot kernels. Enzymatic breakdown of amygdalin can release hydrogen cyanide.
Carbon monoxide : A colorless, odorless, toxic gas produced by incomplete combustion. Both can cause fatal cellular oxygen deprivation, but through distinct mechanisms.
Cyanide poisoning : A life-threatening condition caused by exposure to cyanide compounds. It is the acute toxic syndrome that HCN exposure can produce.
Methyl methacrylate : An organic compound used to produce acrylic plastics and resins. HCN is used in industrial chemistry to manufacture this monomer.
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