Different respiratory pigments have different affinities for O₂. The difference in O₂ affinity of human fetal and maternal haemoglobin enables the transfer of O₂ from the mother's blood to fetal blood in the placenta. For this to be possible A) fetal haemoglobin has a lower affinity for O₂ than maternal haemoglobin. B) fetal haemoglobin and maternal haemoglobin have the same affinity for O₂. C) fetal O₂ uptake takes place at lower partial pressures of O₂ than maternal O₂ uptake. D) fetal haemoglobin binds oxygen irreversibly. E) fetal O₂ uptake takes place at higher partial pressures of O₂ than maternal O₂ uptake.

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Fetal hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen (O2) than maternal hemoglobin, allowing it to take up oxygen at lower partial pressures. This characteristic facilitates the transfer of oxygen from the mother's blood to the fetal blood in the placenta.

Different Respiratory Pigments Have Different Affinities for O2

Different Respiratory Pigments Have Different Affinities for O₂