Which organ is most affected by cyanide exposure?

Cyanide is a potent and rapidly acting poison that affects the body's ability to utilize oxygen. When cyanide enters the body, it inhibits the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase, which is crucial for cellular respiration within the mitochondria. As a result, cells cannot effectively use oxygen, leading to cellular suffocation.

The brain is particularly vulnerable to cyanide exposure for several reasons. It is highly metabolic and has a very high oxygen demand compared to other organs. This means that any disruption in oxygen utilization can lead to rapid and severe effects. The brain's reliance on aerobic metabolism makes it less capable of surviving the conditions created by cyanide poisoning. Symptoms of cyanide exposure often manifest quickly in the central nervous system, including confusion, loss of consciousness, and potentially death if exposure is significant enough.

While other organs, such as the liver, lungs, and kidneys, also play roles in detoxification and metabolism, they do not suffer the same immediate and catastrophic effects from cyanide as the brain does. Therefore, the brain is the most affected organ in cases of cyanide exposure.