Which one of the following statements regarding haemoglobin is correct?a)Haemoglobin present in RBC can carry only oxygen but not carbon dioxideb)Haemoglobin of RBC can carry both oxygen and carbon dioxidec)Haemoglobin of RBC can carry only carbon dioxided)Haemoglobin is only used for blood clotting and not for carrying gases.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Answer

Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells (RBCs) that plays a crucial role in transporting gases in the body. The correct statement regarding haemoglobin is option 'B', which states that haemoglobin of RBC can carry both oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Explanation:
Haemoglobin is a complex molecule composed of four protein chains, each containing a heme group. Each heme group can bind to one molecule of oxygen, allowing haemoglobin to carry oxygen to the tissues throughout the body. This process is crucial for cellular respiration and energy production.

Carrying Oxygen:
When oxygen enters the lungs during respiration, it diffuses into the red blood cells and binds to the iron atom in the heme group of haemoglobin. This forms oxyhemoglobin, which is bright red in color. The oxygen-loaded haemoglobin is then transported to the body tissues, where it releases the oxygen for cellular respiration. This exchange of oxygen between haemoglobin and body tissues is facilitated by the partial pressure of oxygen in the tissues.

Carrying Carbon Dioxide:
In addition to carrying oxygen, haemoglobin also plays a vital role in transporting carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a waste product produced during cellular respiration, and it needs to be removed from the tissues and transported to the lungs for exhalation. Around 20-25% of carbon dioxide is carried in the form of carbaminohemoglobin, where carbon dioxide binds to the amino groups of haemoglobin. The remaining carbon dioxide is transported in the dissolved state or converted into bicarbonate ions.

Bohr Effect:
The binding of oxygen and carbon dioxide by haemoglobin is influenced by the concentration of each gas and the pH of the surrounding environment. The Bohr effect describes the phenomenon where an increase in carbon dioxide and a decrease in pH (increase in acidity) facilitate the release of oxygen from haemoglobin. This ensures that oxygen is released in tissues with high metabolic activity where more carbon dioxide is produced.

Conclusion:
Haemoglobin is a versatile protein present in red blood cells that is responsible for carrying both oxygen and carbon dioxide. Its ability to bind and release these gases is crucial for the transport of oxygen to body tissues and the removal of carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs for exhalation.

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