Athigh altitudes, the oxygen level in air is low. Climbers of verytall mountains risk altitude sickness, which is characterized byshortness of breath, weakness, dizziness and confusion. The earlysymptoms of cyanide poisoning are the same as those for altitudesickness. Cyanide binds tightly to Cytochrome c oxidase, a proteincomplex that is the last component of mitochondrial electrontransfer chains. Cytochrome c oxidase with bound cyanide can nolonger transfer electrons. Explain why cyanide poisoning startswith the same symptoms as altitude sickness.
