Question

What are the factors which shift the O₂-Hb dissociation curve?

Answer 1

O₂-Hb dissociation curve:

1. The O₂-Hb dissociation curve exhibits a characteristic sigmoid form and shows how effectively oxy-Hb releases oxygen to tissue cells during the phenomena of internal respiration.
2. A right shift means that hemoglobin's oxygen affinity has decreased, making more oxygen available to the tissues.
3. An enhanced oxygen affinity of hemoglobin is shown by a left shift, reducing the amount of oxygen that is available to the tissues.
4. Changes in blood temperature, blood pH, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate concentration, and carbon dioxide concentration are among the variables that might cause the curve to shift.
5. Changes in blood carbon dioxide and hydrogen ion concentration have a substantial impact on improving the oxygenation of blood in the lungs and promoting the release of oxygen from the blood to the tissues, shifting the curve to the right.

The main factors which can shift the O₂-Hb dissociation curve are –

1. Oxygen pressure – decrease shifts curve to the right.
2. Carbon dioxide pressure – increase shifts curve to the right.
3. The temperature of the body – increase shifts curve to the right.
4. Blood’s pH – more acidic shifts curve to the right.