NEETZoologyBreathing and Exchange of Gases
What does the Oxygen dissociation curve represent?
Options
- AThe relationship between the saturation of haemoglobin with CO₂ and pCO₂
- BThe relationship between the saturation of haemoglobin with O₂ and pO₂
- CThe relationship between the saturation of haemoglobin with H⁺ concentration and pO₂
- DThe relationship between the saturation of haemoglobin with temperature and pO₂
Correct answer
B. The relationship between the saturation of haemoglobin with O₂ and pO₂
Step-by-step solution
Haemoglobin is a red coloured iron containing pigment present in the RBCs. O2 can bind with haemoglobin in a reversible manner to form oxyhaemoglobin. Each haemoglobin molecule can carry a maximum of four molecules of O2. Binding of oxygen with haemoglobin is primarily related to partial pressure of O2. Partial pressure of CO2, hydrogen ion concentration and temperature are the other factors which can interfere with this binding. A sigmoid curve is obtained when percentage saturation of haemoglobin with O2 is plott