NEET 2008 Biology question

The haemoglobin of a human foetus

(1)Has a higher affinity for oxygen than that of an adultCorrect
(2)Has a lower affinity for oxygen than that of the adult
(3)Its affinity for oxygen is the same as that of an adult
(4)Has only 2 protein subunits instead of 4

Answer: (1)

Solution

Foetal haemoglobin (HbF, ) binds 2,3-BPG less strongly than adult haemoglobin (HbA, ), so it has a higher affinity for oxygen and its oxygen-dissociation curve lies to the left of the adult curve. This allows the foetus

See the full step-by-step solution

Create a free account to read the complete working, and practise questions like this in a timed test.

Create a free account

Question ID VK-090100