1) The binding curves (fractional saturation, Y, vs. pO2) of human hb an mb are shown below.
The transfer of oxygen from blood to tissues is only about 65% efficient in
humans.(Efficiency is how much oxygen released; remember 65% is 0.65)
1
Y .5-
50
pO2 (torr)
100
a) What is the partial pressure of O2 in these tissues
b) Based on this binding curve, what is the efficiency of transfer of oxygen to tissues
whose pO2 is 20 torr?
c) On this graph add the expected binding curve for a hb to be found in an animal
capable of 80% efficiency in this transfer at the partial pressure determined in part (a)
above.
d) On the curve above show how hb's oxygen binding curve would look 2,3
bisphosphoglycerate could no longer bind? How would this differ from a curve for
hb in the presence of high amounts of CO2?