Home PYQs UPPSC UPPSC MCQs Prelims 2008 (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 an irreversible complex with hemoglobin, called carboxyhemoglobin.

CO binds to hemoglobin at the same sites as oxygen, but about 200 times more tightly. This prevents hemoglobin from binding oxygen, which destroys its function and can adversely affect the brain.