What type of agents disrupt the body's ability to transfer oxygen from the bloodstream to cells?

Blood agents are specifically designed to interfere with the body’s capability to transport oxygen. They do this by entering the bloodstream and binding with hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for oxygen transport. This binding effectively prevents hemoglobin from carrying oxygen to body tissues, leading to asphyxiation at the cellular level.

Choking agents primarily cause damage to the respiratory system, leading to breathing difficulties, but they do not directly affect the blood’s oxygen transport. Nerve agents disrupt the nervous system's function rather than oxygen transfer, interfering with neurotransmitter function and muscle control. Irritants can cause inflammation and damage to mucous membranes, but they do not have a direct effect on oxygen transport in the blood. Blood agents, on the other hand, have a clear mechanism that targets the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, making them distinct in their effects.