During winter a person died during sleep, the room was closed and a co...
Charcoal on burning produces carbon monoxide (CO). CO has about 200 times more affinity for Hb than O2. On combining with Hb, it forms a stable compound carboxyhaemoglobin. Because of this compound, Hb cannot carry sufficient O2 to the tissues ultimately leading to death.
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During winter a person died during sleep, the room was closed and a co...
Possible Reason for Death: Hb Has More Affinity to Combine with Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas that is produced during the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as wood, coal, and gasoline. It has a high affinity for hemoglobin (Hb) in red blood cells, forming a stable compound called carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). This compound is formed when carbon monoxide binds to the iron atom in the heme group of hemoglobin, preventing oxygen from binding to it effectively.
When a person inhales carbon monoxide, it rapidly enters their bloodstream through the lungs. The COHb formed competes with the binding of oxygen to hemoglobin, reducing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. As a result, the vital organs and tissues in the body do not receive enough oxygen, leading to oxygen deprivation or hypoxia.
Explanation:
1. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:
When the person was sleeping in a closed room, the burning charcoal could have released carbon monoxide gas. As the room was closed, there was limited ventilation, allowing the carbon monoxide to accumulate in the air. The person inhaled this toxic gas, and it entered their bloodstream, binding to hemoglobin with a higher affinity than oxygen.
2. Formation of Carboxyhemoglobin:
Carbon monoxide has a 210-250 times greater affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen. When carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, it forms carboxyhemoglobin, reducing the availability of hemoglobin for oxygen transport. This impairs the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, leading to oxygen deprivation in the body.
3. Oxygen Deprivation and Hypoxia:
As carboxyhemoglobin levels increase, the body's tissues and organs receive less oxygen. This can lead to symptoms such as headache, dizziness, confusion, shortness of breath, and eventually loss of consciousness. In severe cases, it can result in organ damage or even death due to hypoxia.
Conclusion:
In this scenario, the person's death can be attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide, released from the burning charcoal in the closed room, bound to hemoglobin with a higher affinity than oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin. This resulted in the reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, leading to oxygen deprivation and subsequent death. Hence, the correct answer is option 'B' - Hb has more affinity to combine with carbon monoxide.
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