When a man inhales air containing normal concentration of \(\mathrm{O}_2\) as well as \(\mathrm{CO}\) he…
When a man inhales air containing normal concentration of \(\mathrm{O}_2\) as well as \(\mathrm{CO}\) he suffers from suffocation because
\(\mathrm{CO}\) reacts with \(\mathrm{O}_2\) reducing its percentage in air
haemoglobin combines with \(\mathrm{CO}\) instead of \(\mathrm{O}_2\) and forms carboxyhaemoglobin
\(\mathrm{CO}\) affects diaphragm and intercostal muscles
\(\mathrm{CO}\) affects the nerves of the lungs.
Solution
Affinity of carbon monoxide for haemoglobin is 200 times more than oxygen. At 0.5 partial pressure, $\mathrm{CO}$ combines with $50 \%$ of haemoglobin. It produces a relatively stable compound called carboxy-haemoglobin. This causes low supply of oxygen to the body which is characterised by headache, dizziness, nausea, etc.