How does the carbon monoxide emitted by automobiles prevent the transport of oxygen in the body tissues?
Correct answer: A. By forming a stable compound with haemoglobin.
- A. By forming a stable compound with haemoglobin.
- B. By obstructing the reaction of oxygen with haemoglobin.
- C. By changing oxygen into carbon dioxide.
- D. By destroying the haemoglobin.
Explanation
Carbon monoxide (CO) prevents the transport of oxygen in the body tissues by interfering with the oxygen-carrying capacity of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it enters the bloodstream through the lungs. In the bloodstream, CO has a much higher affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen. This means that CO molecules preferentially bind to hemoglobin over oxygen. When CO binds to hemoglobin, it forms a compound called carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). Carboxyhemoglobin has a stronger bond with hemoglobin than oxyhemoglobin (the form of hemoglobin that carries oxygen). As a result, COHb accumulates in the bloodstream, displacing oxyhemoglobin.
Last updated
About Man and His Environment
Ecosystems include biotic and abiotic components, food chains and webs, energy flow, nutrient cycles, populations and ecological relationships. Pollution and conservation cover air, water, soil and noise pollution, their effects on organisms, biodiversity loss, protected areas, sustainable resource use and methods for reducing environmental damage.
Practise Man and His Environment
382 free Man and His Environment MCQs from Biology, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Exams that ask Biology questions like this
Biology is on 6 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
Related questions
Conversion of ammonium into nitrates is:
In a forest, there are a lot of plants; trees, shrubs, and herbs. What will the Palm trees face if they grow in the same forest?
The animals that feed on organic debris from decomposing plants and animals are called:
Process ensuring the survival of species over long periods of time, even though individual members of the species die.
The position of an organism in a food chain of an ecosystem called: