Question

It is known that exposure to carbon monoxide is harmful to animals because:

• A. It reduces $C{O}_2$ transport
• B. It reduces $O_2$ transport
• C. It increases $C{O}_2$ transport
• D. It increases $O_2$ transport

Answer 1

The correct option is B It reduces $O_2$ transport

Haemoglobin combines with oxygen. It is an easy reversible reaction to form oxyhaemoglobin.
$Hb+O_2\rightleftharpoons Hb{O}_2$
The oxygen is transported to various tissues of the body in the form of oxyhaemoglobin by blood. The binding of haemoglobin with oxygen is affected by the presence of CO. The affinity between CO and haemoglobin is 200 times greater than that of Hb and oxygen. Hence, CO reduces the oxygen transport by haemoglobin as it quickly binds to haemoglobin.