The role of hemoglobin in adult human erythrocytes is best described as:
a) Amplifying erythrocyte transport capabilities for oxygen and carbon dioxide.
b) Delivering iron to the bone marrow.
c) Binding oxygen in high oxygen-tension environments and releasing oxygen in
low oxygen-tension environments
d) Binding oxygen in low oxygen-tension environments and releasing oxygen in
high oxygen-tension environments
e) It is responsible for the biconcave shape of the erythrocytes
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Answer
Answer c. Hemoglobin undergoes a conformational change after binding of the
first oxygen molecule that encourages binding of additional oxygen. In low
oxygen-tension environments (as well as acidotic and hypercarbic environments),
oxygen is rapidly unloaded to the surrounding tissues.
Notes
- This question originally printed in the Pediatric Anesthesiology Review Topics kindle book series, and appears courtesy of Naerthwyn Press, LLC.
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