Question

Question: The binding of oxygen by hemoglobin (Hb), giving oxyhemoglobin (HbO₂), is partially regulated by the concentration of H₃O⁺ and dissolved CO₂ in the blood. Although the equilibrium is complicated, it can be summarized as

HbO₂(aq) + H₃ O+(aq) + CO₂(g) ⇌ CO₂ −Hb−H⁺ + O₂(g) + H₂ O(l)

(a) Write the equilibrium constant expression for this reaction.

(b) Explain why the production of lactic acid and CO₂ in a muscle during exertion stimulates release of O₂ from the oxyhemoglobin in the blood passing through the muscle.

Short answer

The Result is

1. \({K_c} = \frac{{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_2} - {\rm{Hb}} - {{\rm{H}}^ + }} \right) \times \left( {{{\rm{O}}_2}} \right)}}{{\left( {{\rm{Hb}}{{\rm{O}}_2}} \right) \times \left( {{{\rm{H}}_3}{{\rm{O}}^ + }} \right) \times \left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_2}} \right)}}\)The Expression of the equilibrium constants is

2. The Increase in concentration of lactic acid \(\left( {{{\rm{H}}_3}{{\rm{O}}^ + }} \right)\)and CO₂will move equilibrium in the right, therefore oxyhemoglobin HbO₂releases O₂

Step-by-step solution

Definition

Oxyhaemoglobin is the haemoglobin bound to oxygen and oxygen is transported in this form to tissues from the lungs

Expression for the equilibrium constant

The Equillibrium constant expression is

\({K_c} = \frac{{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_2} - {\rm{Hb}} - {{\rm{H}}^ + }} \right) \times \left( {{{\rm{O}}_2}} \right)}}{{\left( {{\rm{Hb}}{{\rm{O}}_2}} \right) \times \left( {{{\rm{H}}_3}{{\rm{O}}^ + }} \right) \times \left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{O}}_2}} \right)}}\)

Step 3:  The Release of O2 from the oxyhemoglobin

We Have to explain the production of lactic acid and CO₂in the muscle during the exertion stimulates the release the O₂ from the oxyhemoglobin in the blood passing through the muscle.

The Increase in concentration of lactic acid\(\left( {{{\rm{H}}_3}{{\rm{O}}^ + }} \right)\)andCO₂will move equilibrium in the right, therefore oxyhemoglobin HbO₂releases O₂