Question

Explain giving reasons “the presence of CO reduces the amount of haemoglobin available in the blood for carrying oxygen to blood cells”.

Answer 1

Carbon monoxide (CO):

1. Carbon monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas that is formed by the incomplete combustion of various fuels.
2. It is a compound that can combine 300 times faster with haemoglobin than oxygen and replaces the oxygen which is present in the red blood cell forming carboxy-haemoglobin.
3. Thus, the increase in a high amount of carbon monoxide in the body reduces the amount of haemoglobin available in the blood for carrying oxygen to blood cells.
4. The building up of CO in blood causes carbon monoxide poisoning which can lead to serious tissue damage or even death.