Question

The protein hemoglobin (Hb) transports \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) in mammalian blood. Each \(\mathrm{Hb}\) can bind 4 \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) molecules. The equilibrium constant for the \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\) binding reaction is higher in fetal hemoglobin than in adult hemoglobin. In discussing protein oxygen-binding capacity, biochemists use a measure called the \(P 50\) value, defined as the partial pressure of oxygen at which 50\(\%\) of the protein is saturated. Fetal hemoglobin has a P50 value of 19 torr, and adult hemoglobin has a \(\mathrm{P} 50\) value of 26.8 torr. Use these data to estimate how much larger \(K_{c}\) is for the aqueous reaction \(4 \mathrm{O}_{2}(g)+\mathrm{Hb}(a q) \rightleftharpoons\left[\mathrm{Hb}\left(\mathrm{O}_{2}\right)_{4}(a q)\right]\) in a fetus, compared to \(K_{c}\) for the same reaction in an adult.

Short answer

The equilibrium constant $K_c$ for the fetal hemoglobin's reaction is approximately 8.05 times larger than the adult hemoglobin's reaction, meaning fetal hemoglobin binds to oxygen more efficiently than adult hemoglobin.

Step-by-step solution

Understand P50 values and hemoglobin saturation

The P50 values represent the partial pressure of oxygen required to saturate 50 percent of the hemoglobin. When 50% of the hemoglobin is saturated, half of the hemoglobin is bound to oxygen, and the other half is unbound, meaning: \[ \left[ \mathrm{Hb} \right] = \left[ \mathrm{Hb}(\mathrm{O}_2)_4 \right] \]

Relate P50 values to the equilibrium constant

The equilibrium constant for the given reaction is defined as: \[ K_c = \frac{\left[\mathrm{Hb}(\mathrm{O}_2)_4\right]}{\left[\mathrm{Hb}\right] \cdot \left[\mathrm{O}_2\right]^4} \] At the P50 point (50% saturation), we know that \( \left[\mathrm{Hb}\right] = \left[\mathrm{Hb}(\mathrm{O}_2)_4\right] \), so we can rewrite the equation as: \[ K_c = \frac{1}{\left[\mathrm{O}_2\right]^4} \] This equation allows us to calculate Kc using the P50 value (which is the partial pressure of oxygen), for both fetal and adult hemoglobin.

Estimate the ratio of Kc values

Now, we can use the P50 values to find Kc for both fetal and adult hemoglobin and then find the ratio: For fetal hemoglobin: \[ K_{c, \text{fetal}} = \frac{1}{(19 \text{ torr})^4} \] For adult hemoglobin: \[ K_{c, \text{adult}} = \frac{1}{(26.8 \text{ torr})^4} \] To find the ratio of Kc values, we divide the fetal value by the adult value: \[ \text{Ratio} = \frac {K_{c, \text{fetal}}}{K_{c, \text{adult}}} = \frac {1/ (19 \text{ torr})^4}{1/(26.8 \text{ torr})^4} \]

Calculate the ratio

Now we can calculate the ratio: \[ \text{Ratio} = \frac{(26.8)^4}{(19)^4} \approx 8.05 \] So, the equilibrium constant Kc for the fetal hemoglobin's reaction is approximately 8.05 times larger than the adult hemoglobin's reaction, meaning fetal hemoglobin binds to oxygen more efficiently than adult hemoglobin.

Key concepts

Equilibrium Constant

The equilibrium constant (\( K_c \)) is a crucial value in chemistry that quantifies the ratio of product concentrations to reactant concentrations at equilibrium. In the context of hemoglobin and oxygen binding, it measures the tendency of hemoglobin (\( \text{Hb} \)) to bind with oxygen (\( \text{O}_2 \)). A higher equilibrium constant indicates a greater affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, leading to more \( \text{Hb}(\text{O}_2)_4 \) formation under given conditions.

When comparing fetal and adult hemoglobin, this difference in equilibrium constants highlights the varying capabilities of these hemoglobins to capture oxygen. This is particularly important during fetal development, as the fetus receives oxygen from the placenta and therefore needs a higher affinity hemoglobin to facilitate this transfer efficiently.

P50 Value

The P50 value is a term used to describe the partial pressure of oxygen at which hemoglobin is 50% saturated. It serves as an indicator of hemoglobin's oxygen affinity; the lower the P50, the higher the affinity for oxygen. This is because at a lower partial pressure, hemoglobin can achieve the same level of saturation, implying it binds oxygen more readily.

A key point we gather from this is that fetal hemoglobin, with its lower P50 value of 19 torr compared to the adult's 26.8 torr, can effectively become half-saturated at a lower oxygen pressure, illustrating its greater affinity needed to extract oxygen from the mother's blood supply.

Saturation of Hemoglobin

Saturation of hemoglobin refers to the proportion of hemoglobin in the blood that is bound to oxygen. At 100% saturation, all hemoglobin molecules would be carrying the maximum number of oxygen molecules they can, which is typically four oxygen molecules per hemoglobin molecule.

Understanding saturation curves and how they shift with changes in P50 values is pivotal for comprehending how oxygen delivery to tissues is regulated. It's also interesting to note that various factors, such as pH, temperature, and the presence of molecules like BPG, can shift the curve by affecting the hemoglobin's shape and thereby its affinity for oxygen.

Fetal Hemoglobin vs Adult Hemoglobin

Comparing fetal hemoglobin (HbF) with adult hemoglobin (HbA) concerns looking at their different adaptations to oxygen transport. As mentioned earlier, the high affinity of HbF for oxygen facilitates the transfer from the mother's bloodstream across the placenta. HbF achieves this by having a lower P50 value and, correspondingly, a higher equilibrium constant (\( K_c \)) as compared to adult hemoglobin.

It's essential for survival in the uterine environment, where the fetus is not directly breathing atmospheric oxygen but instead depends on the mother's blood for oxygen supply. After birth, the need for such a high oxygen affinity decreases, and the HbF is replaced by HbA, which is better suited for the oxygen levels in the direct environment.