Question

1.) Describe the Bohr Effect and its impact on the function of hemoglobin and why it does not impact myoglobin.

2.) Predict how different mutations or variants alter hemoglobin structure might affect its function (sickle cell, fetal hemoglobin, etc.).

Answer 1

Answer =

1.) Describe the Bohr Effect and its impact on the function of hemoglobin and why it does not impact myoglobin.

Bohr Effect - Oxygen binding affinity of Hb is inversely related to the concentration of carbon dioxide and H+ concentration.

Lowering in the pH causes the oxygen affinity of the hemoglobin to decrease and shifts the curve to the right. When the curve is shifted in this direction , a higher pO2 is required for hemoglobin to bind a given amount of O₂.The effect of pH on the oxygen affinity of Hb is known as Bohr effect.

impact on the function of hemoglobin as follows:

Deoxyhemoglobin binds hydrogen ion more readily than oxyhemoglobin.

Under a condition of low pH , the side chain of histidine 146 becomes protonated and the quaternary structure of deoxyHb is stabilized due to the formation of ionic interaction.

At high pH, the side chain of histidine 146 is not  protonated , no significant change takes place in oxyhemoglobin over the same pH range.

Bohr effect affects the ability of the Hb subunits to transport oxygen.