Recitation: Applied Oxygen-Hemoglobin curve Hemoglobin is sensitive to changes i

Question

Recitation: Applied Oxygen-Hemoglobin curve Hemoglobin is sensitive to changes in pH. Decreases in pH alters the confirmation of hemoglobin which causes the oxygen- hemoglobin curve to shift to the right (shown below; this is called a Bohr shift. Notice that the curve stays anchored to the same point at both ends). When you exercise, your muscles become acidic. pH 7.4 / / (any idea why?) pH 7.2 Bohr shift O, saturation (%) of hemoglobin How does this increase in acidity affect O, loading in the alveoli and 02 unloading in the exercising 100 muscle? Is this a good thing? 20 30 40 60 80 Po, (mm Hg) in blood within tissue 16

Explanation / Answer

(1)

There is an event of decrease in pH during exercise and during this there is build up of lactic acid in the muscles which makes the condition more acidic. As we exercise, due to formation of the lactic acid, the pH decreases due to anaerobic respiration increasing the acidic quality.

(2)

When the acidity increases, it affect oxygen loading in alveoli as it is inversely proportional to the oxygen binding capacity of the hemoglobin. As carbon dioxide concentration increases it forms bond with carbonic acid and increase the decrease in blood pH and this leads to hemoglobin release the oxygen load and hence impacts loading in alveoli. When there is decrease in carbon dioxide it increase the pH and lead to more loading off the oxygen by the hemoglobin.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse R
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.