why eyes irritate when cut onions plsssss answer
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Onions produce the chemical irritant known as syn-propanethial-S-oxide. It stimulates the eyes' lachrymal glands so they release tears. Scientists used to blame the enzyme allinase for the instability of substances in a cut onion. ... The synthase enzyme converts the amino acids sulfoxides of the onion into sulfenic acid.
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pls a simple ans for a 9th grader not advanced chem
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Onions produce the chemical irritant known as syn-propanethial-S-oxide. It stimulates the eyes' lachrymal glands so they release tears. Recent studies from Japan, proved that lachrymatory-factor synthase,is the culprit .
The process goes as follows:
- Lachrymatory-factor synthase is released into the air when we cut an onion.
- The synthase enzyme converts the amino acids sulfoxides of the onion into sulfenic acid.
- The unstable sulfenic acid rearranges itself into syn-ropanethial-S-oxide.
- Syn-propanethial-S-oxide gets into the air and comes in contact with our eyes. The lachrymal glands become irritated and produces the tears!
pls a simple answer
When you cut the onion, the otherwise separate enzymes start mixing and produce propanethiol S-oxide, which is a volatile sulphur compound that starts wafting towards your eyes. The gas that is emitted reacts with the water of your eyes and forms sulphuric acid. The sulphuric acid thus produced causes burning sensation in your eyes and this in turn leads to the tear glands secreting tears. Thus you end up with watery eyes every time you cut onions at home.
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