Question

CO has high affinity for haemoglobin.

(a) True

(b) False

I had been asked this question in unit test.

The question is from Environmental Chemistry topic in chapter Environmental Chemistry of Chemistry – Class 11

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) True

To explain: Carbon monoxide (CO) is highly poisonous has a high affinity for haemoglobin. It binds with haemoglobin to form carboxyhaemoglobin, which is about 300 times more stable than the oxygen-haemoglobin complex. In blood, when the concentration of carboxyhaemoglobin reaches about 3-4 per cent, the oxygen carrying capacity of blood is greatly reduced. This oxygen deficiency, results in headache, weak eyesight, nervousness, and cardiovascular disorder.