In: Anatomy and Physiology
Discuss the Bohr effect
The Bohr effect means a lower affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen as a result of increase in the carbon dioxide partial pressure of blood or decrease in blood pH. This means a right-ward shift in oxygen- hemoglobin dissociation described in oxygen transport as well as enhanced unloading of oxygen by hemoglobin.
MECHANISM:
A decrease in blood pH means an increase in H+ concentration. These are the direct cause of lower haemoglobin affinity for oxygen . The association of H+ ions with the amino acids of haemoglobin also reduces haemoglobin's affinity for oxygen. Because carbon dioxide partial pressure changes can modify blood pH , increased partial pressure of carbondioxide will also result in right ward shift of the oxygen-haemoglobin dissociation curve.The relationship between blood pH and partial pressure of cabondioxide is mediated by carbonic anhydrase which converts gaseous carbon dioxide to carbonic acid that in turn releases a free hydrogen ion and reduces the pH of blood.
SIGNIFICANCE:
In metabolically active peripheral tissues, for example,
exercising skeletal muscles, this Bohr effect allows for enhanced
unloading of oxygen.The increase in partial pressure of carbon
dioxide results in reduction of local blood pH which occurs in
increased skeletal muscle activity.
The oxygen delivery in metabolically active tissue occurs by
unloading of bound oxygen by haemoglobin which passes through this
tissue because of Bohr effect.
The Bohr effect increases oxygen delivery proportional to metabolic
activity of the tissue. If there is more metabolism, greater oxygen
unloading happens by increase in carbon dioxide partial pressure
which Vresult in reduction of local pH. Exercising skeletal muscles
also release lactic acid results in reduction of local blood pH and
thus enhances the Bohr effect.