Question

Minimum concentration and pressure of ${\text{CO}}$ in alveoli of lungs that would be dangerous to man is:
A.1%, 0-7 mmHg
B.0-4%, 0-7 mmHg
C.2-7%, 0-4 mmHg
D.0-3%, 0-4 mmHg

Answer 1

Hint: Carbon monoxide gas is very harmful to the lungs as it has the ability to replace the oxygen from the oxyhaemoglobin and attach itself to the iron centre thereby restricting the blood flow to the body.

Complete Answer:
Carbon monoxide enters the body through the lungs when we inhale it mixed with the air. The alveolus of the lungs absorbs the gas from the inhaled gas and transfers it throughout the body. As the gas reaches the bloodstream, it replaces the oxygen molecules bound to the haemoglobin molecules and attaches itself to the haemoglobin forming carboxy-haemoglobin instead. This compound is very dangerous to the body and as the oxygen levels in the blood is reduced due to the circulation of carboxy-haemoglobin in the body, the person dies.
The Minimum concentration and pressure of ${\text{CO}}$ in alveoli of lungs that would be dangerous to man is 1%, 0-7 mmHg.

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Notes: The after-effects of carbon monoxide poisoning include: headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, irritability, and disturbed. As the human body is in a continuous need of oxygen, the partial pressure of oxygen in the atmosphere, rather the troposphere is 159 mmHg, and the human body is continuously in need of this barometric pressure.