TYK336

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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