Critical Thinking Activities - Chapter 8


Question 1. Cyanide interrupts the cytochrome system of electron transport. Why is cyande a universal poison effective in all organisms with mitochondria?

Question 2. Breakng apart a molecule through combination with oxygen is burning. However, this is a "slow burn" inside of cells. Today, we hear of "spontaneous human combustion" where people allegedly burn up from runaway metabolism. Why is it impossible for rapid direct oxidation to originate in the cell environment?


Answers are available to instructors in the Instructor's Manual.

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