What does carbon monoxide bond with more readily than oxygen?

Carbon monoxide has a high affinity for hemoglobin, which is the protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body. When inhaled, carbon monoxide can bind to hemoglobin over 200 times more readily than oxygen. This binding prevents hemoglobin from carrying oxygen, leading to reduced oxygen delivery to tissues and potential carbon monoxide poisoning.

Understanding the mechanics of carbon monoxide's interaction with hemoglobin is crucial in contexts such as diving and emergency response, as it highlights the critical importance of monitoring and mitigating the effects of this gas in various environments, including those related to diving. The other choices, while relevant to respiratory and circulatory functions, do not involve the specific binding properties that characterize the interaction between carbon monoxide and hemoglobin.