In: Biology
How is the release of oxygen from hemoglobin achieved in the blood? Be sure to define and discuss the Bohr effect
• Almost 97% oxygen in blood is transported by hemoglobin.
• Hemoglobin binds to oxygen and converted into
oxyhemoglobin.
• Oxygenated blood supplies oxygen to various tissues of
body.
• When blood reaches to tissue level then oxygen dissociates from
oxyhemoglobin and oxygen is released to tissues.
Bohr effect :-
• This effect explains effect of carbon dioxide on oxygen
dissociation.
• At tissue level, carbon dioxide concentration is higher. This
carbon dioxide combines with water and forms carbonic acid.
• This carbonic acid decreases the pH of blood. On lower pH,
affinity of hemoglobin towards oxygen is decreased and oxygen is
released from oxyhemoglobin.
Hence, release of oxygen is occurred.
Defination of bohr effect -
" Decrease in oxygen affinity of hemoglobin in response to
decreased blood pH is result of increased carbon dioxide
concentration in blood."