What prominent effect does carbon monoxide have on hemoglobin?

Carbon monoxide has a significant impact on hemoglobin by forming a stable complex with it, which inhibits hemoglobin's ability to release oxygen to tissues. When carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, it competes with oxygen for the same binding site, which not only reduces the amount of oxygen that can be carried but also alters the hemoglobin's structure in a way that stabilizes it in the relaxed state. This stabilization means that even when oxygen is bound, it is not released effectively, leading to potential tissue hypoxia despite normal or elevated levels of oxygen in the bloodstream. This phenomenon highlights the dangerous nature of carbon monoxide exposure, making it critical to understand its effects on the body’s ability to transport and utilize oxygen.