Chapter 21, Problem 14CYR

Summary Introduction

To review:

Whether the following statements are true or false. False statements are to be corrected:

a. Oxygen is transported primarily by dissolving in the plasma.

b. Each Hb protein can carry up to four oxygen molecules.

c. Hb in arterial blood is normally almost fully saturated.

d. When the ${\text{P}}_{{\text{O}}_2}$ of arterial blood drops slightly, the percent saturation of Hb drops dramatically.

e. Increased ${\text{P}}_{{\text{CO}}_2}$ temperature and hydrogen ion concentration all increase Hb’s affinity for oxygen

Introduction:

As per Henry’s law, oxygen does not dissolve in great amounts in plasma due to its low solubility in water. Most of the oxygen is transported on hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that consists of four chains of polypeptides along with a heme group and has one iron ion that binds one molecule of oxygen. Each of these Hb proteins can transport up to four oxygen molecules