Carbon monoxide exerts its toxic effects primarily by binding to which molecule?

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Multiple Choice

Carbon monoxide exerts its toxic effects primarily by binding to which molecule?

Explanation:
Carbon monoxide causes toxicity by binding to hemoglobin in red blood cells, forming carboxyhemoglobin. This binds CO with an affinity hundreds of times greater than for oxygen, so CO effectively blocks oxygen from attaching to hemoglobin and also makes the remaining oxygen harder to release to tissues. The result is widespread tissue hypoxia, which is the main harmful effect. While CO can interact with other heme-containing proteins, the systemic danger comes primarily from its occupation of hemoglobin.

Carbon monoxide causes toxicity by binding to hemoglobin in red blood cells, forming carboxyhemoglobin. This binds CO with an affinity hundreds of times greater than for oxygen, so CO effectively blocks oxygen from attaching to hemoglobin and also makes the remaining oxygen harder to release to tissues. The result is widespread tissue hypoxia, which is the main harmful effect. While CO can interact with other heme-containing proteins, the systemic danger comes primarily from its occupation of hemoglobin.

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