During strenuous exercise, skeletal muscles require an increased supply of oxygen. Which of the following local changes in the muscle tissue environment facilitate the increased release of oxygen from oxyhaemoglobin?

Step-by-step solution

During strenuous exercise, the metabolic rate of skeletal muscles increases significantly. This leads to a higher production of carbon dioxide (increasing p CO ₂ ), an accumulation of metabolic acids like lactic acid and carbonic acid (increasing H ^+ concentration or lowering pH), and the generation of more heat (increasing temperature). According to the Bohr effect, an increase in p CO ₂ and H ^+ concentration, along with an increase in temperature, decreases the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen. This causes a