Question
Question: During metabolism, the prussic acid which is formed is rendered harmless by which of these organs? ...
During metabolism, the prussic acid which is formed is rendered harmless by which of these organs?
A. Pancreas
B. Stomach
C. Liver
D. All of the above.
Solution
This organ is known to be the largest gland of the body and plays a vital role in digestion. It is able to detoxify with the help of an enzyme. It regulates most of the chemical levels in the blood. It regulates blood clotting. This organ secretes the bile juice, which helps in digestion.
Complete answer:
The prussic acid formed during metabolism is rendered harmless by a liver.
The liver is able to detoxify some amount of cyanide or prussic acid via reaction with the help of an enzyme rhodanese. Prussic acid reacts with thiosulfate to produce thiocyanate.
The liver is well known to be the largest organ of our body. It plays a vital role in digestion. The liver is the organ that detoxifies cyanide during metabolism.
Prussic acid is also known as Hydrogen cyanide. It is colorless and extremely fatal to the human body. It is highly potent and has rapid action.
It enters into the bloodstream and inhibits the utilization of oxygen into the body cells, thus resulting in severe asphyxia.
So, the correct answer is “Option C”.
Additional Information:
Hydrogen cyanide is a chemical compound with chemical formula HCN with boiling point 25.6oC and melting point of −13.4oC. Hydrogen cyanide is naturally found in some plants like lime beans, cassava, almonds, and some fruits like peaches; apple peaches release certain chemicals metabolized to cyanide.HCN has a faint bitter almond odor. It is so fatal that it can take life within - mins. Early symptoms will be headache, dizziness, vomiting, fast heart rate. The next phase will be low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and cardiac arrest. Some people, if they survive, they will get long term neurological problems.
Note:
A high concentration of prussic acid can kill a human being in a few minutes. The prussic acid, which is formed during metabolism, is rendered harmless by the liver. Prussic acid is also known as Hydrogen cyanide, which is highly poisonous and lethal to the human body. The liver detoxifies some amount of prussic acid with the help of an enzyme rhodanese.