Final answer:
Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that competes with oxygen for binding to hemoglobin, preventing oxygen from being transported through the body. Administering pure oxygen is the usual treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless gas that competes with oxygen for binding to hemoglobin. When carbon monoxide is present, it binds to hemoglobin preferentially over oxygen, preventing oxygen from binding to hemoglobin and being transported through the body.
This can result in adverse effects such as headaches, confusion, and nausea, and long-term exposure can cause brain damage or death. Administering 100 percent pure oxygen is the usual treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning, as it helps to separate carbon monoxide from hemoglobin.