Haemoglobin, reactions with carbon monoxide

Gibson, Q. H. Roughton, F. J. W. (1957). The determination of dissodation of the velocity constants of the four successive reactions of carbon monoxide with sheep haemoglobin. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, B146, 206-24. 

The mean heat of reaction of oxygen with haemoglobin at 22° C. is given 1 as 0950 calories, whilst that of carbon monoxide and haemoglobin is 14,700 calories. The difference is noteworthy in view of the well-known poisoning action of the latter gas. In view of the wide discrepancies between the individual results, however, further investigation of the subject would appear desirable. 

The various reactions that have been proposed for the detection of carbon monoxide depend on its reducing properties and its power of reaction with haemoglobin. 

Lewis add-base reactions keep us alive. When we inhale air, the O2 molecules, which are rich in lone pairs, form a complex with the Fe atom that hes in the four-fold heart of a haemoglobin molecule. The oxygen is thereby transported to other parts of the body, where it is released and used in the reactions that power us. Carbon monoxide. 

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