The oxygen-carrying function of blood depends on its being maintained very near a pH of _____.
A)4.8
B)7.4
C)5.7
D)8.8
E)9.6

Question

The oxygen-carrying function of blood depends on its being maintained very near a pH of _____.
A)​4.8
B)​7.4
C)​5.7
D)​8.8
E)​9.6

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The optimal pH for oxygen binding to hemoglobin is 7.4, and the body tightly regulates blood pH to maintain it within a narrow range around this value. At a lower or higher pH, oxygen binding to hemoglobin is impaired, which can lead to hypoxia (low oxygen levels in the body) and tissue damage.

The Oxygen-Carrying Function of Blood Depends on Its Being Maintained