Question

The Poisonous nature of Carbon monoxide $\left(CO\right)$ is due to its _____.

• A. insolubility in water
• B. ability to form a complex with haemoglobin
• C. ability to reduce some metal oxides
• D. property of having one sigma bond

Answer 1

The correct option is B ability to form a complex with haemoglobin

Carbon monoxide, on the other hand, binds very strongly to the iron in hemoglobin. Once carbon monoxide attaches, it is very difficult to release. So if you breath in carbon monoxide, it sticks to your hemoglobin and takes up all of the oxygen binding sites. Eventually, your blood loses all of its ability to transport oxygen, and you suffocate.