4. Carbon dioxide (CO2) can also bind to heme Heme (aq) + CO2(aq) Heme(CO2) (aq)

Question

4. Carbon dioxide (CO2) can also bind to heme Heme (aq) + CO2(aq) Heme(CO2) (aq) K= .08 Since the binding of O2 to heme is higher than CO2 it can displace the CO2 and result in the following equilibrium Heme(CO2) + O2(aq) Heme(O2) + CO2 What is the equilibrium constant for this equilibrium? Show your work (I am asking for a numerical value) 5. Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when the heme molecules bind C0 instead of 02. This obviously would have harmful effects on the body since O2 would no longer be delivered to the rest of the body. The complex of heme and C=O is a darker red then the heme complex with O2, so people with carbon monoxide poisoning often have flushed faces. To treat carbon monoxide poisoning patients are given oxygen. Resulting in the following equilibrium in the lungs: Heme(CO) +O2 Heme(O2) + CO Using Le Chatelier?s principle explain how administering 02 can treat carbon monoxide poisoning effectively.

Explanation / Answer

Le Chatelier' principle: If a system at equilibrium is subjected to a change of pressure, temperature, or the number of moles of a component, there will be a tendency for a net reaction in the direction that reduces the effect of this change.

Breathing pure oxygen shifts the position of equilibrium to remove carbon monoxide from the red blood cells.

Dissolved oxygen in the blood binds to the hemoglobin in red blood cells in a reversible reaction.

Hb(aq) + 4O?(aq) ? Hb(O?)?(aq)

Carbon monoxide binds even more tightly to hemoglobin than oxygen does:

Hb(aq) + 4CO(aq) ? Hb(CO)?(aq)

If we reverse the first equation and add the second one, we get the equation

Hb(O?)?(aq) + 4CO(aq) ? Hb(CO)?(aq) + 4O?(aq)

The bonds between hemoglobin and carbon monoxide are about 300 times as strong as those with oxygen, so the position of equilibrium lies to the right.

The red colour of the predominant Hb(CO)? causes the characteristic cherry red skin colour of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The body no longer has enough oxyhemoglobin to maintain life processes.

Giving the patient pure oxygen can reverse the condition.

Le Ch

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