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.

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

The Equillibrium constant expression is

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

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