BRAINCAKEHaemoglobinic Acid
When carbonic acid dissociates inside a red blood cell, it releases hydrogen ions (H+). If these built up, the pH inside the cell would fall, which could denature enzymes and other proteins. Haemoglobin prevents this.
The hydrogen ions bind to haemoglobin, forming haemoglobinic acid (HHb). As they bind, oxyhaemoglobin releases its oxygen:
HbO8 + H+ → HHb + 4O2
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Key terms in this lesson
- bohr effect
- The decrease in the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen when the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is high, causing oxyhaemoglobin to release oxygen more readily.
More in Transport in Animals
- Haemoglobin
- Oxygen Loading and Unloading
- The Oxygen Dissociation Curve
- Partial Pressure of Oxygen
- The Bohr Effect
- Fetal Haemoglobin
- Transport of Carbon Dioxide
- Carbonic Anhydrase
All 32 lessons in Transport in Animals · All OCR AS-level Biology topics