Which of the following explains why hemoglobin in RBCs binds to O 2 in the lungs but releases O 2 in muscle tissues? (Select all that apply).

So this practice problem asks, which of the following explains why hemoglobin in red blood cells binds to oxygen in the lungs but releases oxygen in muscle tissues. Select all that apply. And so we've got these 5 potential answer options below and option a says that the pH is lower in the lungs than in the tissues, but recall from our previous lesson videos that the pH in the lungs is right around 7 point 6 and the pH in the tissues is right around 7.2 and so the pH is not lower in the lungs and in the tissues, the PH is actually higher in the lungs than it is in the tissues and so for that reason, we can cross off option A because it's incorrect. Now, notice option G is mentioning something about BPG which is a molecule that we have not yet talked about. We are going to talk about it later in our course, but because we have not yet talked about it, we can eliminate option c. But I can tell you now that BPG is going to be an allosteric effector to hemoglobins oxygen binding activity. But again, we'll talk more about BPG later in our course. Now notice option d here says the temperature of the lungs is generally higher than the temperature in actively contracting muscle tissues. And so if you think about your previous experiences of contracting your muscle tissues, if you're actively contracting your muscle tissues, your muscle tissues are gonna be generating lots and lots of heat. And so the temperature in your muscle tissues is generally going to be higher than the temperature in your lungs, especially since your lungs are constantly receiving fresh breath of air in and out. And, of course, the air is generally going to help keep our lungs cooler. And so, what we can say is that option d is false because, again the temperature in the lungs is not gonna be higher, it's going to be lower than actively contracting muscle tissues. And so, if we take a look at option B here, notice that it says that the partial pressure of CO2 is lower in the lungs than in the tissues, And of course we know from our previous lesson videos that this is going to be true. In the lungs, we are constantly going to be exhaling c o two and because we're exhaling c o two and breathing it out into the environment, the c o two the partial pressure of c o two in our lungs is gonna be relatively low. And also, recall, recall that the tissues, through cellular respiration are gonna be producing lots and lots of c o two. And so, in the tissues, the partial pressure of c o two will be much higher. And so we can indicate here that option B is gonna be the correct answer for this problem. And of course, we can eliminate option E which says none of the above are true because option B is true and so that concludes this practice and I'll see you guys in our next video.

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8. Protein Function

Hemoglobin Binding in Tissues & Lungs

Biochemistry

8. Protein Function

Hemoglobin Binding in Tissues & Lungs

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following explains why hemoglobin in RBCs binds to O ₂ in the lungs but releases O₂ in muscle tissues? (Select all that apply).

pH is lower in the lungs than in the tissues.

pCO₂ is lower in the lungs than in the tissues.

BPG is produced at higher levels in tissues compared to the lungs.

The temperature of the lungs is generally higher than the temperature in actively contracting muscle tissues.

None of the above are true.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the role of hemoglobin: Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells (RBCs) responsible for transporting oxygen (O2) from the lungs to tissues and returning carbon dioxide (CO2) from tissues to the lungs.

Consider the effect of pCO2: The partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) is lower in the lungs than in the tissues. This difference affects hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, as higher pCO2 in tissues promotes oxygen release due to the Bohr effect.

Examine the role of BPG: 2,3-Bisphosphoglycerate (BPG) is produced at higher levels in tissues compared to the lungs. BPG binds to hemoglobin and decreases its affinity for oxygen, facilitating oxygen release in tissues.

Analyze temperature effects: The temperature in actively contracting muscle tissues is generally higher than in the lungs. Increased temperature can reduce hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, promoting oxygen release in tissues.

Evaluate pH differences: The pH is actually higher in the lungs than in the tissues, not lower. This higher pH in the lungs increases hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, aiding in oxygen binding.