What is "cyanide poisoning"

n. poisoning due to ingesting or inhaling cyanide; common in smoke from fires and in industrial chemicals

Cyanide poisoning occurs when a living organism is exposed to a compound that produces cyanide ions (CN) when dissolved in water. Common poisonous cyanide compounds include hydrogen cyanide gas and the crystalline solids potassium cyanide and sodium cyanide. The cyanide ion halts cellular respiration by inhibiting the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase found in the mitochondria.