This union of physiological experiments with three dimensional anatomical models is valuable because it will be possible to correlate physiological properties with specific anatomical characteristics. The plant is indigenous to South America and has subsequently been introduced worldwide. Cassava, known in the United States as tapioca or yuca, is a rich source of the cyanogenic glucosides linamarin and lotaustralin. Once ingested, the cyanide moiety is cleaved via linamarase and hydrogen cyanide is formed and circulated throughout the bloodstream. The body converts ingested cyanide to thiocyanate via the enzyme rhodanase.
Hypothyroidism is a condition found throughout the world and is associated with low iodine intakes.
In some populations, low iodine intakes are associated with high serum thiocyanate levels. It is believed dietary cyanogenic glucosides are among the most significant natural biological sources of cyanide and elevated serum thiocyanates. Thiocyanate is also present in cigarette smoke and increased blood SCN levels have been detected in smokers. Swine are an excellent model for human metabolic processes and young swine are expected to show the greatest thyroid responses to any elevations in serum thiocyanate. In many studies testing the effects of cyanogenic glucosides and cyanides on thyroid function, the levels of these compounds used are not relevant to normal biological intake such as that ingested by eating foods containing cyanogenic glucosides.