The correct answer is: Carbon monoxide is a pollutant because it reacts with haemoglobin.
Haemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. When carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream, it binds to haemoglobin more easily than oxygen does. This means that less oxygen is available to the body’s tissues, which can lead to a number of health problems, including headache, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. In severe cases, carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Option A is incorrect because carbon monoxide does not react with oxygen. In fact, carbon monoxide competes with oxygen for binding sites on haemoglobin, which means that less oxygen is available to the body’s tissues.
- Option B is incorrect because carbon monoxide does not inhibit glycolysis. Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that produces energy in the absence of oxygen. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to a decrease in blood sugar levels, but this is not due to inhibition of glycolysis.
- Option C is incorrect because carbon monoxide does not make the nervous system inactive. In fact, carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to seizures and coma, which are both signs of neurological impairment.
I hope this explanation is helpful!