Hemoglobin A1 is the quaternary protein structure on a red blood cell involved in oxygen transport. Hemoglobin A1 has two α-chains and two β-chains. A blood pH change caused several bonds to break between the amino acid chain. Which would most likely result from this change in concentration?
Answer
A
The hemoglobin will no longer carry oxygen due to a change in the shape of the protein.
B
The hemoglobin will continue to carry oxygen at the same level as the previous structure.
C
The hemoglobin will adapt to concentration changes to maintain its original shape.
D
The hemoglobin will increase its oxygen carrying capacity to restore the blood concentration levels.
Explanation
A change in pH can disrupt bonds that help maintain hemoglobin’s structure. Because hemoglobin’s quaternary structure depends on the arrangement of its two α-chains and two β-chains, broken bonds can alter its shape and interfere with oxygen binding. Therefore, it would most likely no longer carry oxygen normally; it would not necessarily adapt or increase its capacity to compensate.
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