Binding affinity Memes

Your hemoglobin has one job: carry oxygen. But throw carbon monoxide into the mix, and suddenly it's like watching your lab partner ditch their assigned task to chase after the free pizza in the break room. The binding affinity for CO is about 200 times stronger than for O₂, which is basically the molecular equivalent of "new phone, who dis?" to oxygen. This is why we don't run experiments in poorly ventilated rooms with gas burners anymore. Well, not twice anyway.

Your hemoglobin doesn't stand a chance! Carbon monoxide has a binding affinity for hemoglobin that's 200-250 times stronger than oxygen, basically making it the overeager buyer in a protein marketplace. When CO enters the bloodstream, hemoglobin is like "SHUT UP AND TAKE MY BINDING SITES!" The result? Your red blood cells become useless oxygen transport vehicles, and you're left gasping while your hemoglobin has committed to a terrible relationship it can't escape. It's the molecular equivalent of ghosting oxygen for that toxic ex who keeps calling.