What effect does carbon monoxide have on the body?

The effect of carbon monoxide on the body primarily involves its ability to bind to hemoglobin in red blood cells. When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it competes with oxygen for binding sites on hemoglobin, leading to the formation of carboxyhemoglobin. This process significantly reduces the amount of oxygen that can be transported in the bloodstream, effectively impairing the body’s ability to utilize oxygen.

As a result, the oxygen that is bound to hemoglobin is not available to tissues and organs that require it, leading to hypoxia (a state of oxygen deficiency). This can manifest in various symptoms, including dizziness, confusion, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness or even death.

The correct answer highlights the critical physiological disruption caused by carbon monoxide, emphasizing its role in affecting the transport of oxygen rather than increasing heart rate, metabolism, or muscular endurance, which are not directly impacted by the presence of carbon monoxide in the same manner.