Question

Define oxygen dissociation curve. Can you suggest any reason for its sigmoidal pattern?

Answer 1

Oxygen dissociation curve:

1. The oxygen dissociation curve is a graph which shows the relationship between the partial pressure of oxygen and oxygen saturation of haemoglobin.
2. The oxygen dissociation curve is a graph describing the saturation percentage of oxyhaemoglobin at various partial pressures of oxygen.
3. This curve also shows the equilibrium of haemoglobin and oxyhaemoglobin at various partial pressures.

Reason for its sigmoidal pattern:

1. The oxygen dissociation curve is in a sigmoid shape or S-shaped because of the co-operative binding of oxygen to haemoglobin.
2. The oxygen dissociation curve is obtained by plotting the percentage saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen against the partial pressure of oxygen.