alleryCarbon monoxide poisoning is dangerous because CO
Abinds haemoglobin much more tightly than O₂
Bdestroys the alveolar wall in minutes
Cblocks the diaphragm from contracting
Draises blood pH to lethal levels
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. binds haemoglobin much more tightly than O₂
CO binds haemoglobin's iron with about 240× the affinity of O₂, forming carboxyhaemoglobin that doesn't release CO and doesn't carry O₂.
The body suffocates with red, oxygen-starved blood.
Treatment is 100% O₂ or hyperbaric oxygen to displace the CO.
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