Carbon monoxide is pollutant as it

Options

A. Inactivates nerves
B. Inhibits glycolysis
C. Combines with oxygen
D. Combines with haemoglobin

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Carbon Monoxide (CO)**: Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced from incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels. It is considered a pollutant due to its harmful effects on human health and the environment.

2. **Role of Hemoglobin**: Hemoglobin (Hb) is a protein found in red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen (O2) from the lungs to the rest of the body and returning carbon dioxide (CO2) from the body back to the lungs.

3. **Binding Affinity**: Carbon monoxide has a significantly higher affinity for hemoglobin than oxygen. Specifically, CO binds to hemoglobin about 210 times more readily than oxygen does. This means that in the presence of carbon monoxide, hemoglobin preferentially binds to CO instead of O2.

4. **Formation of Carboxyhemoglobin**: When carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin, it forms a compound called carboxyhemoglobin. This compound is stable and does not release oxygen effectively, which is crucial for cellular respiration.

5. **Consequences of CO Binding**: The formation of carboxyhemoglobin leads to a decrease in the amount of oxyhemoglobin available to transport oxygen throughout the body. This results in reduced oxygen delivery to tissues and organs, leading to symptoms of suffocation and potentially severe health issues.

6. **Conclusion**: Carbon monoxide is classified as a pollutant because its presence in the bloodstream inhibits the transport of oxygen, leading to hypoxia (lack of oxygen) in the body, which can be life-threatening.

### Final Answer:
Carbon monoxide is a pollutant because it binds to hemoglobin in the blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin, which prevents the transport of oxygen to the body's tissues, leading to suffocation and other serious health problems.

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