Question

The secondary compound cyanide (Figure 1) is a toxic, bitter-tasting chemical that is found in apple seeds. Cyanide in seeds is only released and tasted if the seed is crushed. When animals eat apples, they typically eat the sweet fleshy part of the fruit and spit out the seeds or swallow them whole.
Based on the chemical structure of cyanide, identify ONE type of biological macromolecule that could serve as a chemical precursor for the production of cyanide in a plant. Justify your choice.

Answer 1

Answer:

Amygdalin

Explanation:

Amygdalin is a compound present in the apple seeds which contains sugar macromolecule and cyanide. When Amygdalin broken down by the action of enzymes, the sugar part is removed and only cyanide left which decomposes and produces poisonous gas of hydrogen cyanide. This is only be done if the animals crushed the apple seeds while eating apple.