Chapter 15, Problem 15.39P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The effect of CO on the equilibrium ${\text{Hb + O}}_2\rightleftharpoons {\text{ Hb(O}}_2\text{)}$ should be predicted and a possible reason for the toxicity of CO should be suggested.

Concept introduction:

Oxygen enters into the lungs by inhaling air and this oxygen diffuses through walls of lung alveoli into the blood. Then most of this oxygen is bound to hemoglobin and transported all over the body. Hemoglobin is a protein that contains heme groups embedded in them. Each hemoglobin molecule has 4 heme groups and each heme group can bind one O₂ molecule.

$\begin{array}{l}{\text{Hb + O}}_2\rightleftharpoons {\text{ Hb(O}}_2\text{)}\\ {\text{Hb(O}}_2{\text{) + O}}_2\rightleftharpoons {\text{Hb(O}}_2{\text{)}}_2\\ {\text{Hb(O}}_2{\text{)}}_2{\text{ + O}}_2\rightleftharpoons {\text{Hb(O}}_2{\text{)}}_3\\ {\text{Hb(O}}_2{\text{)}}_3{\text{ + O}}_2\rightleftharpoons {\text{Hb(O}}_2{\text{)}}_4\end{array}$