A high PCO₂ would tend to decrease the blood pH by forming carbonic acid. However, it also stimulates the release of oxygen from oxyhemoglobin, and this minimizes the pH change because A) deoxyhemoglobin is a weaker acid than oxyhemoglobin. B) the hemoglobin iron undergoes alternate oxidation and reduction. C) the heme group is in a hydrophobic environment. D) deoxyhemoglobin is a stronger acid than oxyhemoglobin. E) hemoglobin has less binding capacity for oxygen than myoglobin.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Deoxyhemoglobin is a weaker acid than oxyhemoglobin. This means that when oxygen is released from oxyhemoglobin due to high PCO2 levels, the resulting deoxyhemoglobin is less acidic and less likely to contribute to a significant decrease in blood pH.

A High PCO2 Would Tend to Decrease the Blood PH

A High PCO₂ Would Tend to Decrease the Blood PH