Effect of CO2 concentration on dissociation of oxyhaemoglobin is calle...
Bohr's Effect:
Bohr's effect refers to the effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration on the dissociation of oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) into oxygen (O2) and hemoglobin (Hb). This phenomenon was discovered by Danish physiologist Christian Bohr in the early 20th century.
Explanation:
When CO2 is produced in tissues, it diffuses into the bloodstream and reacts with water (H2O) to form carbonic acid (H2CO3) through an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase. Carbonic acid then dissociates into hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-).
1. Formation of Carbonic Acid:
CO2 + H2O ⇌ H2CO3
2. Dissociation of Carbonic Acid:
H2CO3 ⇌ H+ + HCO3-
The increase in H+ ions leads to a decrease in blood pH, causing the blood to become more acidic. This decrease in pH triggers Bohr's effect, which facilitates the release of oxygen from hemoglobin.
3. Effect on Hemoglobin Affinity for Oxygen:
The binding of oxygen to hemoglobin is influenced by the pH and CO2 concentration. When the CO2 concentration is high, such as in actively metabolizing tissues, the following changes occur:
- Increased CO2 concentration leads to an increase in H+ ions, causing a decrease in pH.
- The decrease in pH leads to a decrease in the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen.
- Hemoglobin releases its bound oxygen more readily due to the decreased affinity.
- This oxygen can then be utilized by the metabolizing tissues for cellular respiration.
4. Shift of Oxygen-Hemoglobin Dissociation Curve:
Bohr's effect causes a rightward shift in the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve. This shift indicates a decreased affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen at a given partial pressure of oxygen (PO2).
- At the same PO2, the amount of oxygen released from hemoglobin increases in the presence of higher CO2 concentration.
- This shift allows for enhanced oxygen unloading in tissues where CO2 is being produced as a byproduct of cellular respiration.
Summary:
Bohr's effect describes the relationship between CO2 concentration, pH, and oxygen release from hemoglobin. As CO2 concentration increases, it leads to the formation of carbonic acid, which dissociates into H+ ions and HCO3-. The increase in H+ ions decreases blood pH, triggering a decrease in hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen. This facilitates the release of oxygen from hemoglobin, allowing it to be utilized by metabolizing tissues. The effect is represented by a rightward shift in the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve.
Effect of CO2 concentration on dissociation of oxyhaemoglobin is calle...
Bohr's effect because christian bohr told firstly about haemoglobin's binding efficiency with o2 which is inversely proportional to acidity and concentration of co2.
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