Question

What is the effect of PCO2 on oxygen transport?

Answer 1

At the tissues, the high pCO2 and low pO2 favours the dissociation ofoxygen from oxyhaemoglobin. Hence, the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen is enhanced by the decrease of pCO2 in blood. Therefore, oxygen is transported in blood as oxyhaemoglobin andoxygen dissociates from it at the tissues.

Answer 2

pCO 2plays an important role in the transportation of oxygen. At the alveolus, the low pCO2 and high pO2 favours the formation of haemoglobin. At the tissues, the high pCO2 and low pO2 favours the dissociation of oxygen from oxyhaemoglobin. Hence, the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen is enhanced by the decrease of pCO2 in blood. Therefore, oxygen is transported in blood as oxyhaemoglobin and oxygen dissociates from it at the tissues.