Question

Observe the following equation given and write a short note on it.
$Hb+4O_2\to Hb(O_2{)}_4$ (In lungs)
$Hb(O_2{)}_4\to Hb+4O_2$ (In tissues)

Answer 1

Oxygen that diffuses into blood binds to haemoglobin molecules packed into red blood cells and is moved around the body. Haemoglobin is a globular protein with four haem molecules held in it by intermolecular bonds. In

the concentrations of oxygen found in the lungs, oxygen molecules bond to the iron(II) ions in the haem molecules to form oxyhaemoglobin.

One haemoglobin molecule carries four oxygen molecules. About 98.5% of the oxygen in blood is transported as oxyhaemoglobin. In the lower concentrations of oxygen found in respiring tissues, the oxyhaemoglobin dissociates to release oxygen.