Biochemistry 4th Edition by Christopher Mathews,Kensal van Holde, Dean Appling, Spencer Anthony Cahill

Exercise 12

Suppose you visit the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, India (elevation 1460 m), and you begin to ponder the "big questions," such as, "What is the fractional saturation of the Dalai Lama's hemoglobin " (a) Assuming the Dalai Lama's hemoglobin has a Hill coefficient = 3.2, and a P 50 = 31 torr, calculate the change in fractional O₂ saturation of his hemoglobin going from his lungs (where P O₂ = 85 torr) to his capillaries (where P O₂ = 25 torr). (b) Why do you suppose the Dalai Lama's hemoglobin has a P 50 higher than normal (where "normal" = 27 torr)