medium · MCAT bio-biochem

A sprinter finishes a 400-meter dash and has an accumulation of lactic acid, dropping their blood pH to 7.1. At the same time, their muscles have produced a significant amount of CO_2.

Which statement best describes the Bohr effect in this scenario?

  1. Protons and CO_2 bind to hemoglobin, stabilizing the T-state and promoting oxygen release.
  2. Lactic acid acts as a competitive inhibitor at the heme binding site, displacing oxygen.
  3. The high CO_2 levels increase the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen to ensure more O_2 is carried away from the lungs.
  4. The curve shifts to the left because the rapid breathing of the sprinter clears out excess acid.

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