Practicing Success
When we cut an onion, the vegetable emits an odour and our eyes tear up. Which of the following compounds is responsible for the tears and odour resulting from freshly cut onions? |
Ascorbic acid Sulphuric acid Citric acid Acetic acid |
Sulphuric acid |
The correct answer is option 2. Sulphuric acid. The compound responsible for the tears and odor resulting from freshly cut onions is a sulfur-containing compound. Specifically, it is a compound called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. This compound is produced when the onion cells are damaged, leading to the release and enzymatic conversion of certain sulfur compounds in the onion. |