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[[Image:800px-YellowOnions.jpg|right|thumb|Yellow onions.]]

[[Image:800px-YellowOnions.jpg|right|thumb|Yellow onions.]]

An '''onion''' is the common name for many [[plant]]s in the [[genus]] ''Allium'', which are characterized by a strong, pungent odor. Onions can cause [[tear]]ing when cut due to the natural [[oil]]s that give it its odor.

An '''onion''' is the common name for many [[plant]]s in the [[genus]] ''Allium'', which are characterized by a strong, pungent odor. Onions can cause [[tear]]ing when cut due to a series of chemical reactions in which natural sulfoxides are converted into sulfenic acids and finally syn-propanethial-S-oxide, which evaporates into the air and irritates the eyes' lachrymal glands.<ref>http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/onion.html</ref><ref>http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=what-is-the-chemical-proc</ref>

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[[Category:Vegetables]]

[[Category:Vegetables]]