. Hemoglobin (abbreviated Hb) is a protein that is responsible for the transport

Question

. Hemoglobin (abbreviated Hb) is a protein that is responsible for the transport of oxygen in the blood of mammals. Each hemoglobin molecule contains four iron atoms that are the binding sites for O2 molecules. The oxygen bininding is pH dependent. The relevant equilibrium reaction is HbH44+ (aq) + 4O2(g) ? Hb(O2)4 (aq) +4H+ (aq) a. What form of hemoglobin, HbH44+ or Hb(O2)4, is favored in the lungs? What form is favored in the cells? b. When a person hyperventilates, the concentration of CO2in the blood is decreased. How does this affect the oxygen-binding equilibrium? How does breathing into a paper bag help to counteract this effect? c. When a person has suffered a cardiac arrest, injection of sodium bicarbonate solution is given. Why is this necessary?

Explanation / Answer

a. Hb+O2 is favored in the lungs since O2 is plentiful. Hb+ is favored in cells, where O2 is needed. b . when CO2 is decreased the partial pressure of O2 goes up, so the eqm shifts to the right; there is breathing into a bag increases the CO2 concentration. c. bicarb, a base, removes H+ from the eqm, shifting it to the right, thus more O2 is bound by Hb and the cells get more O2

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