When bar-headed geese fly at very high altitudes (possibly over Mount Everest!), they breathe very thin air where the partial pressure of oxygen is very low compared to that at sea level. They are able to do this because they have a modified version of the hemoglobin protein. To which of the following is their hemoglobin protein most likely similar in terms of its ability to bind oxygen?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The modified version of the hemoglobin in bar-headed geese is most similar to that of a human fetus, as fetal hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen, allowing it to extract oxygen from the mother's circulatory system. This is similar to how the modified hemoglobin in bar-headed geese allows them to extract oxygen from the thin air at high altitudes. The hemoglobin of an adult human or a bird living at sea level would not be able to function effectively at such high altitudes, as they are not adapted to the low oxygen conditions. The hemoglobin of an earthworm is not involved in oxygen transport, as earthworms have a different respiratory system.

When Bar-Headed Geese Fly at Very High Altitudes (Possibly Over