What is the primary effect of high levels of carbon monoxide exposure?

What is the primary effect of high levels of carbon monoxide exposure?

Step 1: Understand what carbon monoxide (CO) is. It is a colorless, odorless gas that can be harmful when inhaled.
Step 2: Learn that carbon monoxide can enter the body through breathing, especially in poorly ventilated areas.
Step 3: Know that CO binds to hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin is the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen.
Step 4: Realize that when CO binds to hemoglobin, it prevents oxygen from binding. This means less oxygen is delivered to the body's tissues.
Step 5: Understand that the lack of oxygen in the body is called hypoxia. This is the primary effect of high levels of carbon monoxide exposure.

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