BC basic - from big bang

1
The Transportation of Blood Oxygen
Any one subunit receives an oxygen molecule will
increase the
oxygen-binding affinity of the
others
(R) relaxed state
O2
When environmental O2 decreases, Hb releases
oxygen to Mb
When environmental O2 increases, Hb binds
oxygen efficiently
(T) tense state
Hemoglobin
Myoglobin
Juang RH (2004) BCbasics
2
Environmental Oxygen Effects Binding Affinity
Artery O2
Muscle in exercising
Relaxing muscle
Vein O2
Myoglobin
100 80 60 40 20 0
Hemoglobin
Percent O2 saturation
Adapted from Garrett Grisham (1999)
Biochemistry (2e) p.480
0 20 40 60
80 100 120
Partial pressure of oxygen (pO2, mmHg)