Question

Give reasons for the following:

Respiratory pigment in the blood takes up oxygen and not carbon dioxide.

Answer 1

1. Haemoglobin, the primary respiratory pigment in the blood, has a strong affinity for oxygen.
2. In the lungs, haemoglobin interacts with oxygen to create oxyhaemoglobin.
3. The oxygenated haemoglobin is delivered to body tissues via the circulation.
4. Oxyhaemoglobin promotes cellular respiration in tissues with low oxygen concentrations.
5. Although haemoglobin can bind to carbon dioxide, most is carried as bicarbonate ions and plasma in the blood.
6. Haemoglobin selectively binds to oxygen, allowing for efficient transport to bodily tissues.