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When a carbon atom and an oxygen atom combine to form carbon monoxide, it is a relatively unstable molecule. The oxygen atom can still bond with something else, and when breathed enters the blood and attaches to red blood cells. Once it does that, it becomes stable, but unfortunately that stable state is unusable by the body - it has displaced a needed regular oxygen atom, and prevented the body from getting some of its oxygen. Losing a little oxygen from your blood is okay - the body has a lot of reserve capacity built in - but if you breathe in a lot of carbon monoxide, then too many red blood cells become attached to the carbon monoxide and not enough are free to carry the necessary oxygen. Depending on how much carbon monoxide is breathed in, the person will slowly or quickly suffocate from a lack of oxygen in the blood.
Or, put another way,The red colour in red blood cells comes from haemoglobin. This molecule combines with oxygen to form oxy-haemoglobin. As the blood circulates round the body, any cell needing an atom of oxygen takes it from a red blood cell and plain haemoglobin reappears.When carbon monoxide gets into the lungs it attaches itself to a red cell, forming carboxy-haemoglobin. Carboxy-haemoglobin cannot carry oxygen. Cells cannot remove the carbon monoxide from the red cells, so the haemoglobin is permanently put out of action. If too much carbon monoxide is inhaled, enough individual body cells die from oxygen starvation to cause the death of the whole body.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Carbon monoxide is harmful because it binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells more readily than oxygen, reducing the blood's ability to carry oxygen and leading to oxygen deprivation in the body's tissues. This can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and in severe cases, unconsciousness, and even death.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoIn your body, something called a hemoglobin carries blood to your tissues.
At anyone one time, only four molecules can be carried by the hemoglobin with the blood. Carbon monoxide and oxygen will fight to get the spots. Carbon monoxide will win, since it's affinity is much higher.
Since your body is only getting carbon monoxide and not any of the oxygen it needs, the blood cells aren't able to carry the oxygen to where it needs to go, do your organs start to fail. If you breathe in too much carbon monoxide, your body won't get the oxygen it needs and will stop working, causing you to die.
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Do plants need carbon monoxide?
No, plants do not need carbon monoxide to survive. Carbon monoxide can actually be harmful to plants because it interferes with their ability to use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis.
What are the harmful effects of CARS to your environment?
The harmful effects of CARS to our environment is the carbon monoxide
How is Carbon Monoxide be harmful to drivers?
Carbon monoxide is harmful to drivers because it can cause dizziness, confusion, and impaired judgment, which can affect a driver's ability to safely operate a vehicle. Prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to asphyxiation and loss of consciousness, posing a serious risk of accidents on the road. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be subtle and easily overlooked, making it important to install and regularly check carbon monoxide detectors in vehicles.
Does pure nicotine contain carbon monoxide?
No, pure nicotine does not contain carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is produced when tobacco is burned, releasing harmful gases. Pure nicotine itself is a colorless liquid that can be found in tobacco plants.
What is used to remove carbon monoxide?
To remove carbon monoxide, a carbon filter or a catalytic converter can be used in a ventilation system. These devices help to trap and convert the carbon monoxide into less harmful compounds before releasing the air back into the environment.
Why is carbon monoxide posionous but carbon dioxide is not?
Yes carbon monoxide is harmful. It is reacting with hemoglobin.
How is carbon monoxide important?
Carbon monoxide is a harmful gas. It may cause for die.
Is carbon monoxide made from a complete combustion?
Carbon monoxide is not the result of a complete combustion.Carbon monoxide is made when hydrocarbons are burnt in low amount of oxygen. That means when partial combustion is happened. Carbon monoxide is harmful to the animals.
Why is carbon monoxide harmful but carbon dioxide is not?
Carbon monoxide bonds with the hemoglobin in red bloods cells and renders them useless. Carbon dioxide does not do this.
Is carbon monoxide in frozen fish harmful to consumers?
No
What are the harmful effects of CARS to your environment?
The harmful effects of CARS to our environment is the carbon monoxide
Do plants need carbon monoxide?
No, plants do not need carbon monoxide to survive. Carbon monoxide can actually be harmful to plants because it interferes with their ability to use carbon dioxide in photosynthesis.
What contains harmful tars and nicotine and carbon monoxide?
Tobacco.
Why is air pollution is harmful?
Air pollution is harmful because it contains harmful pollutants like particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides that can irritate the respiratory system, aggravate existing health conditions like asthma and heart disease, and lead to serious health problems. Long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with reduced lung function, increased risk of respiratory infections, and even premature death.
What is the benefit of a catalytic converter changing carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide?
Converting carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide is beneficial because carbon dioxide is less toxic to humans and the environment than carbon monoxide. This conversion helps reduce the harmful effects of carbon monoxide emissions on air quality and human health.
What effects does tar and carbon monoxide have on a smokers body?
its harmful and you will die!
Which two gases in exhaust fumes are harmful for humans?
Carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides in exhaust fumes are harmful for humans. Carbon monoxide can prevent oxygen from being delivered to the body's organs, while nitrogen oxides can cause respiratory issues and contribute to smog formation.
