Exercise Physiology: Theory and Application to Fitness and Performance 9th Edition by Scott Powers, Edward Howley

Exercise 6

Graph the relationship between hemoglobin-O₂ saturation and the partial pressure of O₂ in the blood. What is the functional significance of the shape of the O₂-hemoglobin dissociation curve? What factors affect the shape of the curve?

Step 1 of 6

Oxygen is transported in the body by hemoglobin, a pigment present in the red blood cells. Each molecule of hemoglobin can bind four O₂ molecules. Hemoglobin bound to oxygen is called oxyhemoglobin whereas hemoglobin not bound to O₂ is called deoxyhemoglobin. The amount of O₂ transported in blood depends on the hemoglobin concentration.