Chemistry 2010 JAMB Past Questions - Question 17: Carbon (II) oxide is considered dangerous if inhaled mainly because it

Correct Answer

B

Explanation

You are absolutely correct! **Carbon (II) oxide, also known as carbon monoxide (CO), is dangerous if inhaled mainly because it competes with oxygen in the blood**.

Here's how it works:

- Oxygen binds to a protein called hemoglobin in red blood cells, facilitating its transport throughout the body.
- Carbon monoxide has a much higher affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen (over 200 times stronger).
- When CO is inhaled, it readily binds to hemoglobin, displacing oxygen.
- This reduces the amount of oxygen available to be delivered to vital organs like the brain, heart, and muscles.
- Oxygen deprivation in these organs can lead to **severe and potentially fatal consequences**, including:
    - Loss of consciousness
    - Brain damage
    - Organ failure
    - Death

While carbon monoxide itself doesn't directly damage the nervous system, the lack of oxygen caused by its competition with oxygen in the blood can lead to nerve damage and various neurological effects. The other options you presented are not correct:

- **Competing with carbon (IV) oxide in the blood:** Carbon (IV) oxide, also known as carbon dioxide (CO2), is a completely different molecule with different physiological roles. It is removed from the body through exhalation, not transported by hemoglobin.
- **Causing lung cancer:** While long-term exposure to high levels of CO may increase the risk of lung cancer, the immediate danger of CO poisoning comes from its effect on oxygen deprivation, not cancer development.

Therefore, remembering that **carbon monoxide competes with oxygen in the blood** is crucial to understanding its toxicity and the associated dangers of inhalation.