Question

The haemoglobin of a human foetus

• A. Has a higher affinity for oxygen than that of an adult
• B. Has a lower affinity for oxygen than that of the adult
• C. Its affinity for oxygen is the same as that of an adult
• D. Has only $2$ protein subunits instead of $4$

Answer 1

The correct option is A Has a higher affinity for oxygen than that of an adult

• The oxygen is needed for aerobic respiration and diffuses from a region of high to low concentration from the mother's blood to the blood of the foetus.
• The haemoglobin of the foetus has a higher affinity for oxygen than that of adult haemoglobin and so the efficiency of exchange is increased

So, the correct answer is 'Has a higher affinity for oxygen than that of an adult'