Question

The percent of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin when the pH is 7.6 is:

a.equal to the percent of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin when the pH is 7.2.
b.less than the percent of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin when the pH is 7.2.
c.greater than the percent of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin when the pH is 7.2.

Answer 1

The oxygen saturation of hemoglobin is greater at a pH of 7.6 than at a pH of 7.2 due to the Bohr effect, which indicates higher affinity for oxygen at more basic pH levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

The percent of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin when the pH is 7.6 is greater than the percent of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin when the pH is 7.2.

This is attributed to the Bohr effect, which illustrates that a higher, more basic pH inhibits oxygen dissociation from hemoglobin, indicating that hemoglobin has a greater affinity for oxygen at a higher pH.

In contrast, a lower, more acidic pH (such as 7.2) promotes oxygen dissociation from hemoglobin, lowering the saturation of hemoglobin with oxygen at the same partial pressure of oxygen.