Which of the following is not correct about carbon monoxide?
- It reduces oxygen carrying ability of blood.
- The carboxyhaemoglobin (haemoglobin bound to CO) is less stable than oxyhaemoglobin.
- It is produced due to incomplete combustion.
- It forms carboxyhaemoglobin.
Answer
(2) The carboxyhaemoglobin (haemoglobin bound to CO) is less stable than oxyhaemoglobin.
Solution
As per NCERT, CO is produced by incomplete combustion of carbon (fuels in automobiles, etc.).
CO binds to haemoglobin to form carboxyhaemoglobin, which is about 300 times more stable than the oxygen–haemoglobin complex.
⇒ The oxygen carrying capacity of blood is reduced.
∴ The statement that carboxyhaemoglobin is less stable than oxyhaemoglobin is not correct.
Answer: (2)