Question

Which of the following statements regarding gases transportation is not correct?

• A. Oxygen irreversibly binds to haemoglobin
• B. Carbon dioxide reversibly binds to haemoglobin
• C. Oxygen is transported by RBC and plasma .
• D. All are correct.

Answer 1

The correct option is A Oxygen irreversibly binds to haemoglobin

RBC (red blood cell) contains haemoglobin, a respiratory pigment responsible for the transport of respiratory gases. Each haemoglobin contains 4 heme groups and each heme group is surrounded by a globin chain. Oxygen and carbon dioxide bind to haemoglobin in a reversible manner and form compounds oxyhemoglobin and carbaminohemoglobin respectively.
If either of the respiratory gases forms an irreversible bond with haemoglobin then the number of haemoglobin free to carry the respiratory gases will decrease. This may lead to a serious oxygen deficit and carbon dioxide toxicity. Hence, it is important that the bond formed should be unstable or irreversible.