1. Hypocapnia is a condition where the concentration of carbon dioxide in the bl
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1. Hypocapnia is a condition where the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood is lower than normal. This can be induced by deep and rapid breathing (hyperventilation). Using the concept of Bohr Effect, explain which curve (1,2, or 3) best represents oxygen binding curve for a person in severe hypocapnia?
Several oxygen binding curves are drawn in the figure below. The black S-shaped curve represents the binding of oxygen to hemoglobin (Hb) under normal physiological conditions. 1. Hypocapnia is a condition where the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood is lower than normal. This can be induced by deep and rapid breathing (hyperventilation). Using the concept of Bohr Effect, explain which curve (1,2, or 3) best represents oxygen binding curve for a person in severe hypocapnia?Explanation / Answer
Overbreathing or hyperventilation in the sick causes hypocapnia or reduced CO2 tension in the lungs and arterial blood (since ventilation-perfusion mismatch is not a common finding in the sick). This leads to hampered oxygen release and reduced cells oxygen tension due to the suppressed Bohr effect.
Hence, for the suppressed Bohr effect, the absolute CO2 concentration is low (see the picture of the right side), and O2 molecules are stuck with red blood cells. (Scientists call this effect
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