Question

Carbon monoxide is a pollutant because

• A. It reacts with $O_2$
• B. In inhibits glycolysis
• C. Makes nervous system inactive
• D. Reacts with haemoglobin

Answer 1

Answer: (C), (D)

Carbon monoxide is a harmful pollutant released from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. It is a toxic gas which when inhaled, combines with haemoglobin in the body. It has about 200 times more affinity for haemoglobin as compared to oxygen and forms a complex carboxyhaemoglobin which cannot carry and transport the oxygen across the body tissues. This causes oxygen tension in the body and ultimately leads to death. Carbon monoxide also makes the nervous system inactive and causes drowsiness because enough oxygen is not supplied to the brain.

Hence, both options C and D are correct.

So, the correct answer is options 'C and D'.