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Carbon monoxide binds tightly to the hemoglobin in red blood cells, instead of the oxygen that they should normally carry. So when you breathe in, the CO molecule attaches to the blood cell rather than the O2 molecule, and your cells don't get enough oxygen.

CO can kill.

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What carries blood rich in carbon monoxide?

Nothing does. Carbon monoxide is toxic. If your blood is rich in it, you will soon be dead. Veins generally carry blood that is rich in carbon dioxide.


Does carbon monoxide come from cigarettes?

It isn't used in cigarettes. It is an unintended but unavoidable byproduct. Carbon monoxide is a natural product of the incomplete combustion of organic compounds. This includes the cellulose in the tobacco leaves and paper of a cigarette.


How does the body compensate sublethal effect of carbon monoxide in smokers?

1. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, preventing the affected RBC's to carry a full load of oxygen. So, the oxygen to tissues decreases, which will stimulate the kidneys to synthesize and release more erythropoietin. This hormone increases RBC production in an effort to get more oxygen to the tissues. Thus, the individual may have polycethemia (an abnormal excess of RBC's) and high blood viscosity. Viscous blood increases a person's chance for stroke and heart failure.


Carbon monoxide combines with what component of blood?

Carbon monoxide combines with hemoglobin in the blood to form carboxyhemoglobin, which reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen.


What harmful effects does carbon monoxide have on the blood?

Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells more readily than oxygen, reducing the amount of oxygen that can be transported in the blood. This can lead to symptoms of hypoxia, such as headache, dizziness, and nausea. In severe cases, carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.

Related Questions

Why are the oxygen level in a smokers blood less than in a non-smoker?

Smoking decreases the amount of oxygen that can be carried in the blood by replacing oxygen with carbon monoxide. This makes it harder for oxygen to bind with hemoglobin in red blood cells, leading to lower oxygen levels in the blood of smokers compared to non-smokers.


How does smoking affect carbon dioxide levels?

Smoking increases carbon monoxide levels in the blood as opposed to carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide ties up hemoglobin so that smokers have lower blood oxygen levels. Chronic inflammation has been linked to the high levels of carbon dioxide that smokers breathe in as it is 200 times the atmospheric rate.


What kind of inhibitor is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide inhibit blood platelet aggregation.


What carries blood rich in carbon monoxide?

Nothing does. Carbon monoxide is toxic. If your blood is rich in it, you will soon be dead. Veins generally carry blood that is rich in carbon dioxide.


What is spco in blood?

I believe it measures the carbon monoxide saturation of blood. This is how carbon monoxide poisoning is checked. Hope that helps! Dave


Does carbon monoxide come from cigarettes?

It isn't used in cigarettes. It is an unintended but unavoidable byproduct. Carbon monoxide is a natural product of the incomplete combustion of organic compounds. This includes the cellulose in the tobacco leaves and paper of a cigarette.


How does the body compensate sublethal effect of carbon monoxide in smokers?

1. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, preventing the affected RBC's to carry a full load of oxygen. So, the oxygen to tissues decreases, which will stimulate the kidneys to synthesize and release more erythropoietin. This hormone increases RBC production in an effort to get more oxygen to the tissues. Thus, the individual may have polycethemia (an abnormal excess of RBC's) and high blood viscosity. Viscous blood increases a person's chance for stroke and heart failure.


Carbon monoxide combines with what component of blood?

Carbon monoxide combines with hemoglobin in the blood to form carboxyhemoglobin, which reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen.


What harmful effects does carbon monoxide have on the blood?

Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells more readily than oxygen, reducing the amount of oxygen that can be transported in the blood. This can lead to symptoms of hypoxia, such as headache, dizziness, and nausea. In severe cases, carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.


High concentration of carbon monoxide?

A high concentration of carbon monoxide means that the haemoglobin in your red blood cells is being destroyed. Carbon monoxide is a very toxic gas.


What is CO on blood test?

CO on a blood test typically stands for "carbon monoxide." Elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the blood can be harmful and are often seen in cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can range from mild to severe and may include headache, dizziness, confusion, and ultimately lead to death if exposure is prolonged.


Does carbon monoxide helps oxygen get into the blood stream?

No. Quite the opposite: carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, which prevents the blood from carrying oxygen. This condition can be fatal.