Question

Why does haemoglobin affinity with oxygen decreases at high altitude?

Answer 1

Answer:

Hemoglobin consists of 2 parts :

a) Heme part

b) Globin part

Now, if you see the structure of heme, you shall notice that ferrous (Fe+2) ion is present at the centre and 4 coordination bonds from 4 nitrogen.

Now, oxygen(O2) attaches to this ferrous ion via the 6th coordination linkage.

So the atmospheric pressure is responsible for creating this coordination linkage.

At high altitudes, the partial pressure of Oxygen decreases and hence the affinity of hemoglobin towards oxygen also decrease.

Answer 2

Answer:

$The concentrtion of oxygen in the atmosphere decreaseswith height. Hence, if thehaemoglobin bindingincreases, we will be able to draw moreoxygen from the air and transport it to the cells$