BPG and hemoglobin’s oxygen binding curve The illustration below is an oxygen bi
ID: 63085 • Letter: B
Question
BPG and hemoglobin’s oxygen binding curve
The illustration below is an oxygen binding curve of hemoglobin in three situations: A hypothetical individual with 0 mM BPG, an individual with blood [BPG] of 5 mM, and an individual with [BPG] of 8 mM. The partial pressures of oxygen in the lungs and tissues at sea level and 4,500 m elevations are shown. Would you consider an increase in blood [BPG] from 5 mM to 8 mM a helpful adaptation for individuals residing at higher elevation? Explain your answer in terms of the efficiency of oxygen delivery by hemoglobin.
Explanation / Answer
Yes, an increased blood BPG levels from 5mM to 8mM would be considered as a helpful adaptation for individuals residing at higher elevations. At high elevations, oxygen delivery to the tissue declines by about one fourth, that means almost to 30 of maximum. An increase in BPG concentration, however, decreases the hemoglobin affinity to oxygen, so it will result in the easy detach of oxygen from the hemoglobin. So, tissue gets almost 37% of oxygen carried by hemoglobin.
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