Chapter 25, Problem 25.50E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The concentration of hemoglobin in a person living in the Himalayas and at lower altitudes is to be compared.

Concept introduction:

Hemoglobin is the protein molecule found in the red blood cells. It consists of four globin chains and four heme groups. The function of hemoglobin is to transfer oxygen from lungs to tissue and carries carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs. The reversible reaction between hemoglobin and molecular oxygen is shown below.

$\begin{array}{l}\text{HHb}+{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}\rightleftarrows {\text{HbO}}_2^{-}+{\text{H}}^{\text{+}}\\ \text{hemoglobin}\text{oxyhemoglobin}\end{array}$