| Bohr Effect |
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This effect facilitates oxygen transport as haemoglobin binds to oxygen in the lungs, but then releases it in the tissues, particularly those tissues in most need of oxygen. When a tissue's metabolic rate increases, its carbon dioxide production increases. The carbon dioxide is quickly converted into acidic protons by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase: CO2+ H2O → H+ + HCO3- This causes the pH of the tissue to decrease, and so increases the dissociation of oxygen from haemoglobin, allowing the tissue to obtain enough oxygen to meet its demands. The Dissociation Curve shifts to the right when Carbon Dioxide concentration, temperature, or hydrogen ion concentration is increased. Therefore higher oxygen Partial Pressure is required for the same degree of saturation of haemoglobin. In the Hiroshima Variant Haemoglobinopathy the Bohr effect is diminished so the haemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen and tissue may suffer minor oxygen starvation during high work. EXTERNAL LINKS |
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