alleryStart learning →Cyanide is a metabolic poison. Which component of the electron transport chain does it inhibit?
ANADH dehydrogenase
BSuccinate dehydrogenase
CCytochrome c oxidase
DUbiquinone reductase
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Cytochrome c oxidase
1. Cyanide inhibits cytochrome c oxidase, a component of the electron transport chain.
2. Blocking a component of the chain stops electrons reaching their final acceptor.
3. NADH dehydrogenase is the enzyme of the first complex and is not the target named.
4. Succinate dehydrogenase belongs to the citric acid cycle and feeds the second complex, so it is a different protein again.
_Source: OpenStax Biology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 7 "Cellular Respiration", section 7.4 Oxidative Phosphorylation_
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