Why is carbon monoxide harmful?

Hello Arnaldo,

Carbon monoxide bonds to the red blood cells, particularly to an iron ion present in a protein called haemoglobin. This bonding prevents the red blood cells from attaching to oxygen, which would make our cells unable to respire and work. Does this make sense?

Carbon monoxide combines with haemoglobin to form carboxyhaemaoglobin. Haemoglobin carries oxygen to tissues ( as oxyhaemoglobin) and this vital function is interrupted when carbon monoxide is bound to haemoglobin instead of oxygen. Death can be the result.

The haemoglobin in the red blood cells (RBCs) bonds to carbon monoxide instead of oxygen. Usually haemoglobin releases oxygen when the RBCs reach cells that need it so the cells can respire, but when haemoglobin bonds to carbon monoxide instead, it keeps hold of it. The carbon monoxide therefore uses up valuable space in the RBCs where oxygen should be carried. The body therefore does not have enough oxygen for respiration.