Would you consider an increase in blood [BPG] from 5mM to 8mM a helpful adaptati

Question

Would you consider an increase in blood [BPG] from 5mM to 8mM a helpful adaptation for individuals residing at higher elevation? Exlplain your answer in terms of the effieciency of oxygen delivery by hemoglobin.

The illustration below m an oxygen binding curve of hemoglobin in three situations: A hypothetical individual with 0mM BPG, an individual with blood [BPG] of 5mM, and an individual with [BPG] of 8 mM. The partial pressures o oxygen in the lungs and tissues at sea level and 4,500 m elevations are shown. Would you consider an increase in blood [BPG] from 5 mM to 8 mM a helpful adaptation for individuals residing at higher elevation? Explain your answer in terms of the efficiency of oxygen delivery by hemoglobin.

Explanation / Answer

BPG stands for 2,3-Bisphosphogly cerate. This compound is found in red blood cells at a conentration of about 5 mM .At high altitudes this concentration increases to about 8mM. BPG binds to hemoglobin in a cavity between the beta subunits and stabilizes the

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