Home PYQs UPPSC UPPSC MCQs Prelims 1996 (GS Paper I)

Question

Which one of the following forms an irreversible complex with haemoglobin of the blood?

  1. Carbon dioxide
  2. Pure Nitrogen gas
  3. Carbon monoxide
  4. A mixture of carbon dioxide and helium

Answer:

Option C: Carbon monoxide

Detailed Solution:

The correct answer is “Carbon monoxide”.

Carbon monoxide (CO) forms a stable complex with hemoglobin called carboxyhemoglobin. This bond is much stronger than the oxygen-hemoglobin bond, preventing oxygen from being transported to the body's tissues. This is why carbon monoxide poisoning is so dangerous.