Question

Bulk of oxygen diffuses from the plasma into the red blood corpuscles where it joins loosely with \(\mathrm{Fe}^{2+\text { ions }}\) of haemoglobin \((\mathrm{Hb})\) to form bright red oxyhaemoglobin \(\left(\mathrm{HbO}_{2}\right)\). The process is called (a) oxidation (b) axygenation (c) hydration (d) dehydrogenation.

Short answer

The correct term for the process of binding oxygen to hemoglobin is (b) oxygentation.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Process

The given process describes the transport of oxygen in the blood. Oxygen diffuses from the plasma into the red blood corpuscles, where it binds to iron (Fe2+) ions in hemoglobin, resulting in the formation of oxyhemoglobin. Recognize that this process is characterized by the binding of oxygen to hemoglobin, not the removal of hydrogen or the addition of water

Determining the Correct Term

Analyze the options given and determine which one accurately describes the process of oxygen binding to hemoglobin. Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons, hydration to the addition of water, and dehydrogenation to the removal of hydrogen. Oxygentation refers to the addition of oxygen to a substance, which in this case is hemoglobin.

Selecting the Correct Answer

Based on the process described and the analysis in step 2, identify the term that correctly defines the binding of oxygen to hemoglobin without altering its electron configuration.

Key concepts

Oxygen Transport in Blood

Oxygen is essential for the survival of cells as it is involved in the production of energy through the process of cellular respiration. In humans, the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body is primarily carried out by the blood.

Blood consists of a liquid called plasma and several types of cells, including red blood corpuscles, also known as red blood cells or erythrocytes. Oxygen enters the blood in the lungs, where it diffuses into the red blood corpuscles. These cells contain millions of hemoglobin molecules that act as oxygen carriers.

Hemoglobin, a protein rich in iron, binds oxygen molecules through a temporary and reversible process to form oxyhemoglobin, which gives the red blood cells their bright red color. This efficient system allows the blood to transport large amounts of oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body where it is released to be used for energy production.

Hemoglobin Function

Hemoglobin is a multifunctional protein found in red blood corpuscles and is crucial for oxygen transport. Its primary role is to bind to oxygen in the lungs and release it in the tissues where the oxygen concentration is low.

This functionality is thanks to the hemoglobin molecule's quaternary structure, which consists of four polypeptide chains, each containing an iron-containing heme group. It is the heme group that binds oxygen, and each hemoglobin molecule can carry up to four oxygen molecules at a time.

The binding and release of oxygen by hemoglobin are regulated by various factors including pH, carbon dioxide levels, and the concentration of 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate in the red blood cells. This regulation ensures efficient oxygen delivery to tissues in need and is a fine example of how protein structure allows for complex physiological processes.

Red Blood Corpuscles

Red blood corpuscles, or red blood cells, are the carriers of oxygen in the blood. They are uniquely adapted for their function, with a biconcave disk shape that increases their surface area for oxygen exchange and flexibility to navigate through the tiny capillaries of the body.

Red blood cells lack a nucleus and most organelles to maximize the space available for hemoglobin, the protein responsible for oxygen binding. The lifespan of a red blood cell is approximately 120 days, after which they are recycled by the spleen and liver.

The health and functionality of red blood corpuscles are vital for oxygen transport. Anemia, a condition characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells or the amount of hemoglobin, can significantly impair the body's ability to transport oxygen effectively.