Final answer:
If an organism's hemoglobin is bound to carbon monoxide, it can't transport oxygen to cells for cellular respiration. This can cause cells to malfunction, potentially leading to serious symptoms or death. Administering pure oxygen can help separate CO from hemoglobin and restore normal cellular functioning.
Step-by-step explanation:
If an organism is exposed to high levels of CO, much of its hemoglobin will become bound to the CO. Hemoglobin's usual job is to bind to O2, or oxygen, and transport it to cells all over the body. But if the hemoglobin is busy being bound to CO, it can't bind to oxygen, which interferes with its oxygen-transporting job. Without oxygen, cellular respiration in the body's cells slows down and, eventually, will stop.
Cellular respiration is a process by which cells use oxygen to break down sugar and other food molecules, releasing the energy they need to live and function. If cellular respiration slows down or stops, the organism's cells cannot function as they normally would. This lack of functioning cells can lead to a range of effects on the overall organism, depending on which cells are affected and how severely. Symptoms of CO poisoning can include headaches, confusion, and nausea; in severe cases, it can lead to brain damage or even death.
Certain treatments, such as administering 100 percent (pure) oxygen, can help speed up the separation of CO from hemoglobin, allowing the hemoglobin to again bind to oxygen and resume its normal functioning. But the best defense against the effects of CO on cellular respiration and overall organism functioning is prevention, by avoiding exposure to high levels of CO in the first place.
Learn more about CO poisoning