4.13: Understand Why Carbon Monoxide is Poisonous, In Terms of its Effect on the Capacity of Blood to Transport Oxygen

CARBON MONOXIDE: Poisonous, colourless and odourless Gas that is produced during incomplete combustion

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Hydrocarbon   +   Oxygen   →   Carbon Monoxide   +   Water

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EFFECT OF CARBON MONOXIDE ON BLOOD:

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• When Carbon Monoxide is produced from incomplete combustion and inhaled into the lungs, it binds irreversibly to Haemoglobin in red blood cells
• As a result, this reduces the capacity of red blood cells to carry Oxygen

Diagram:

Diagram showing Carbon Monoxide Atoms