Question

Why is the oxygen dissociation curve S shaped?

Answer 1

Oxygen dissociation curve:

1. When the oxygen saturation percentage is plotted against the oxygen partial pressure, or pO2, an S-shaped or sigmoid curve is obtained.
2. It is called the oxygen dissociation curve.
3. Due to the cooperative binding of oxygen to haemoglobin, the binding of oxygen initially rises with an increase in pO2.
4. Haemoglobin's affinity for oxygen is raised by the binding of one oxygen molecule.
5. When the oxygen content of haemoglobin hits saturation, it reaches a maximum level.