Question

What would happen if human blood becomes acidic (pH lowers)?

• A. Oxygen carrying capacity of the hemoglobin increases.
• B. Oxygen carrying capacity of the hemoglobin decreases.
• C. RBC count increases.
• D. RBC count decreases.

Answer 1

The correct option is

A

The oxygen-carrying capacity of the hemoglobin decreases.

The affinity that hemoglobin has for oxygen is decreased when the pH of the solution is decreased. When the solution is at a lower pH, hemoglobin tends to release more oxygen because it doesn't have as much affinity to keep the oxygen bonded to the heme group. So the oxygen-carrying capacity of the hemoglobin will decrease if human blood becomes acidic.