The Poisonous nature of Carbon monoxide (CO) is due to its
[amp_mcq option1=”insolubility in water” option2=”ability to form a complex with haemoglobin” option3=”ability to reduce some metal oxides” option4=”property of having one sigma bond” correct=”option2″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2018
The poisonous nature of carbon monoxide (CO) is primarily due to its ability to bind strongly to haemoglobin in red blood cells.
Carbon monoxide has a much higher affinity for haemoglobin (about 200-250 times greater) than oxygen. When inhaled, CO binds to haemoglobin forming carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb), effectively reducing the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen. This leads to oxygen deprivation in the body’s tissues and organs.