Solution to PS 3 #8
a) Fetal Hb binds O2 more strongly that adult Hb.
b) Fetal Hb has a a2g2
structure with less Lys residues to bind BPG compared to the normal adult
a2b2
structure.
c) Fetal Hb binds BPG less strongly than adult Hb. Since BPG
stablizes the deoxy form of Hb this leads to an increased affinity for
O2 in fetal Hb.
d) Fetal Hb must be able to get O2 from the mothers blood, it therefore
needs to always have a higher affinity for O2 than adult Hb in order to
do this at all partial pressures of O2.
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