Toxicity of Cyanide and Carbon Monoxide

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Questions and Answers

What is one effect of atmospheric sulfur dioxide on humans?

Reduced effort to breathe

Decreased airway resistance

Improved mucus secretion

Increased effort to breathe (correct)

Which of the following is a toxic effect of ozone in the body?

Inhibition of cellular respiration

Enhancement of neurotransmitter release

Production of free radicals (correct)

Promotion of lipid synthesis

What describes the mode of action of DDT as a pesticide?

Accumulation in fatty tissues (correct)

Disrupts lipid metabolism

Enhances acetylcholine release

Stimulates nerve regeneration

Chronic exposure to high levels of sulfur dioxide in plants leads to what effect?

Chlorosis Signup and view all the answers

What is a possible antidote to the toxic effects of nitrogen oxides?

Antioxidant vitamin E Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) as a pollutant?

It attacks sulfur-containing amino acids Signup and view all the answers

What is a general characteristic of organophosphate pesticides compared to DDT?

Rapid degradation in the environment Signup and view all the answers

Which of these effects is associated with lipid peroxidation caused by free radicals?

Cell membrane damage Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary biochemical action of cyanide in the body?

It acts as a chemical asphyxiant, displacing oxygen. Signup and view all the answers

Which antidote is used to convert cyanide into less toxic thiocyanate?

Thiosulfate Signup and view all the answers

How does carbon monoxide affect hemoglobin in the bloodstream?

It forms carboxyhemoglobin, reducing oxygen transport. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the severe effects of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure?

Severe irritation of inner lung tissues. Signup and view all the answers

Which substance acts as an antidote for carbon monoxide poisoning?

Oxygen therapy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following uses of cyanide is NOT mentioned?

Food preservation Signup and view all the answers

Cyanide inhibits which key enzyme process in the body?

Oxidative phosphorylation Signup and view all the answers

What substance is produced from the reaction between carbon monoxide and hemoglobin?

Carboxyhemoglobin Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cyanide (CN)

Hydrogen cyanide is used in numerous industrial applications including pest control, metal polishing, and photography.
Cyanide salts are used in metal refining, plating, and silver recovery from film.
Cyanogenic glycosides, found in some plants, can hydrolyze to release cyanide.
Cyanide acts as a chemical asphyxiant, displacing oxygen in the respiratory system.
It inhibits a key enzyme in oxidative phosphorylation, preventing the body from using oxygen effectively by binding to the iron(III) in ferricytochrome.
Antidotes include thiosulfate, which converts cyanide to less toxic thiocyanate, and nitrite, which competes with cyanide for binding sites.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Produced by incomplete combustion of carbonaceous fuels.
Reacts with oxyhemoglobin in the blood to form carboxyhemoglobin, preventing oxygen transport to tissues.
Carboxyhemoglobin is more stable than oxyhemoglobin.
Fresh oxygen exposure is the antidote.

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)

Common oxides include nitrous oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
NO2 causes lung irritation, enzyme system disruption, and lipid peroxidation through free radical formation.
NO acts as a central nervous system depressant and can asphyxiate.
Antioxidant vitamin E may be helpful as an antidote.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)

Causes respiratory irritation and increased airflow resistance in humans.
Leads to increased breathing effort and mucus secretion.
High levels of sulfur dioxide can kill plant tissue (leaf necrosis).
Chronic exposure causes chlorosis (yellowing) in plants.
Converted to sulfuric acid in the atmosphere, causing acid rain, which damages plants.

Ozone (O3) and Peroxyacetyl Nitrate (PAN)

Toxic environmental pollutants present in photochemical smog.
Ozone produces free radicals that cause lipid peroxidation and react with sulfhydryl groups.
Highly irritating to the respiratory system, eyes, and can cause chromosomal damage.
PAN can attack cysteine, a sulfur-containing amino acid.
Ozone is phytotoxic (toxic to plants).
Antidotes include radical-scavenging compounds, antioxidants, and compounds containing sulfhydryl groups.

Pesticides: DDT

Targets the central nervous system.
Accumulates in fat tissue surrounding nerve cells.
Interferes with nerve cell transmission.
Disrupts the central nervous system, killing insects.
Persistent in the environment due to its stability.

Pesticides: Organophosphates and Carbamates

Degrade rapidly in the environment.
React with oxygen and water, decomposing within days.
Non-toxic degradation products.

Pesticides: Mode of Action

Inhibit acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that decomposes acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter.
Acetylcholine accumulation leads to excessive nerve cell firing.

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Description

This quiz explores the properties and effects of cyanide and carbon monoxide, two hazardous substances. It covers their industrial uses, physiological impacts, and the antidotes available for poisoning. Test your knowledge on these toxic agents and their mechanisms of action.