High Yield MCAT Question: Oxyhemoglobin Dissociation Curve

Comprehensive Amino Acid Playlist: https://bit.ly/3sMGBUG Today's video covers the extremely high-yield topic for the MCAT of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve exactly as it pertains to fetal hemoglobin's relationship to binding 2,3-BPG, a negatively charged molecule. A medical researcher studying fetal physiology observes that the oxygen saturation in the umbilical vein of a fetus is higher than that in an adult's arteries. To investigate this phenomenon, the researcher compares the oxygen-binding properties of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and adult hemoglobin (HbA). Which of the following characteristics of HbF best explains the higher oxygen saturation observed in fetal blood? A) Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) has a lower affinity for 2,3-BPG, resulting in a leftward shift of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve B) Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) has a higher affinity for 2,3-BPG, resulting in a leftward shift of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve C) Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) has a lower affinity for 2,3-BPG, resulting in a rightward shift of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve D) Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) has a higher affinity for 2,3-BPG, resulting in a rightward shift of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve Correct Answer: A Time Stamps: Intro and Fetal Circulation: (0:00) Oxyhemoglobin Dissociation Curve: (1:26) Answer Breakdown: (5:30) #oxyhemoglobin #mcat