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Proteins in Plasma

Human fetal h...

Question

Human fetal haemoglobin differs from the adult haemoglobin in that it has

A

Higher affinity for oxygen.

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B

Lower affinity for oxygen.

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C

Two subunits only.

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D

Is glycosylated.

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Solution

The correct option is A Higher affinity for oxygen.
Fetal haemoglobin has two alpha and two gamma subunit whereas adult haemoglobin has two alpha and two beta subunits. Fetal haemoglobin has a great affinity for oxygen because of its interaction with 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate and thus, shows oxy-haemoglobin dissociation curve towards left. Thus, the correct answer is option A.

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