Life: The Science of Biology 11th Edition

Published by W. H. Freeman
ISBN 10: 1-31901-016-4
ISBN 13: 978-1-31901-016-4

Chapter 48 - Gas Exchange - 48.4 - Respiratory Gases Are Transported by the Blood - 48.4 Recap - Learning Outcomes - Page 1038: 1

Answer

The sigmoidal curve of hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen describes how the protein changes conformation once it binds to its first oxygen molecule. This positive cooperativity drastically increases the efficiency of oxygen transport in the bloodstream.

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