Which of the following best describes what happens when hemoglobin binds bis phosphoglyceric acid (BPG)?
A) Binding of BPG leads to tighter binding of oxygen.
B) Binding of BPG allows maternal (adult) Hb to bind oxygen more tightly than fetal Hb.
C) Binding of BPG is important to the allosteric nature of hemoglobin
D) Binding of BPG causes the subunits of hemoglobin to separate.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Binding of BPG is crucial for the allosteric regulation of hemoglobin, which allows it to release oxygen more readily in tissues that need it most. BPG binds to the central cavity of hemoglobin, stabilizing the T (taut) state, which has a lower affinity for oxygen, facilitating oxygen release.

Which of the Following Best Describes What Happens When Hemoglobin