CYANIDES!
-Why cyanide is lethal: Cyanide stops respiration
-Mechanism: Blocks steps in which oxygen is used and which lead to energy release.
-Cyanide-resistant respiration (How good is that)
In many organism, including some plants, aerobic respiration is quickly poisoned by cyanide. But some 坚强 plants continues respiration in the presence of cyanide. In these cases, most of the energy is released as heat instead of ATP (the alternative pathway)
-Practical uses of cyanide-resistant respiration
1.Thermogenesis hypothesis
For pollination, heat helps certain chemical to evaporate and release secent, and make the plants (such as Arctic plants) more attractive to pollinators.
2. Energy overflow hypothesis:
∵The alternative pathway has its highest activity in plants rich in carbohydrates (for example, after rapid photosynthesis)
∴When carbohydrates ↑, normal route of energy released is overwhelmed. The alternative pathway relieves pressure of the normal route.
