Final answer:
Carboxyhemoglobin is the compound formed when carbon monoxide binds with hemoglobin, making it unable to transport oxygen effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The union between carbon monoxide and hemoglobin is called carboxyhemoglobin. This compound forms when hemoglobin binds to carbon monoxide (CO) with a much higher affinity than it does to oxygen, approximately 200 times more. This high affinity means that even small amounts of carbon monoxide in the air can displace oxygen in hemoglobin, leading to tissue hypoxia, which is a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues. It is also noteworthy that in vivo, upon exposure to high concentrations of oxygen at high pressure, carboxyhemoglobin can dissociate, releasing CO and allowing hemoglobin to once again bind oxygen, which is crucial in the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning.