Hello!
My dear fellow steemians, today I'd like to talk about something that you all might have encountered in your everyday life, that is, the burning sensation that makes you cry when you chop onions. So, what actually happens while chopping onions that make you literally drown in tears? Let's find out!
The Anatomy Of Onions
Onions belong to genus Allium and are the most widely cultivated species of it. The bulb of an Onion as we all know is formed of different layers. Microscopically, the inside of an onion is formed of numerous cells arranged in a brick-wall like fashion.
Image Credit
Inside these cells are a number of enzymes. These enzymes give onion a peculiar taste and are the prime reason why you cry when you chop them.
Making you cry by releasing these enzymes is a kind of defense mechanism.
What actually happens when you cut an onion?
When we cut an onion, the enzymes inside the cells are released. These enzymes are involved in breaking down the amino acids sulfoxides which are present in the onion into sulfenic acid. These acids are then converted into Syn-propanethial-S-oxide (a.k.a. Lachrymatory-factor). Since, it is volatile, it can easily get converted into gas.
What makes us cry?
Image Credit
Lachrymatory-factor can easily mix with air. When this substance comes in contact with the corneal nerves, the stimulus is sent to the Autonomic fibers of the Lacrimal gland. These irritants can fill the eyes with tears without damaging them. It also causes rapid blinking of the eye too in order to flush the irritant out.
That's all for today.
If you liked my content,
Please upvote, comment, resteem and follow me for more.
Until Next Time!
OTHER POSTS BY ME:
DOES YOUR BODY KNOW THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO DIE?
HOW DID LIFE BEGIN ON EARTH?
Interesting, specifically it is the enzyme alliinase's reaction with S-1-propenyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide, that produces the 1-propenyl sulfenic acid. Its pretty interesting, I really haven't spent much time thinking about sulfoxide containing amino acids.
Exactly! Science is fascinating actually if you really give some time to learn!