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Red blood cells contain a protein known as haemoglobin (Hb) which is responsible for carrying about 98% of the body's oxygen (the rest is dissolved in the blood). However oxygen is not the only thing that binds to Hb. Both carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) can also bind to it as well (both of which are chemicals produced in cigarette smoke). The binding of CO2 to Hb is normal, and is how the majority of CO2 in the body is trasported to the lungs for exhalation (as it is a bi-product of energy production in the body). However, both CO2 and CO have higher affinities for Hb (i.e. they are more likely to bind to Hb) in the blood, and so when there is more CO and CO2 around, such as when smokers inhale cigarette smoke, the Hb is more likely to bind CO and CO2 than oxygen.

CO2 is far more common than CO, and Hb's affinity for it is lower as well. Hb has an incredibly high affinity for CO which explains why it is so toxic to humans as the Hb it binds to is more or less left unusable in the body.

This is my understanding of this all at a 2nd year university level of physiology, but I believe it more or less explains everything.

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Q: Why do the red blood cells carry less oxygen in a smoker?
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How do the blood cells carry food?

blood cells do not carry food, blood cells carry oxygen.


Where does the red blood cell carry the oxygen to?

Red blood cells carry oxygen to all the cells of the body.


What cells carry oxygen around the body?

red blood cells


What is a red blood cells job?

To carry oxygen


Which of the blood cells carry flows nutients NND oxygen tocells?

red blood cells

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