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🔬 Biology  ·  Breathing and Exchange of Gases  ·  NEET

Each haemoglobin molecule can maximally bind how many molecules of oxygen?

Answer: Four.

  • A One
  • B Two
  • C Four
  • D Eight

Correct answer: C. Four

Explanation: Haemoglobin has four haem groups, and each binds one O<sub>2</sub> molecule, so one haemoglobin molecule carries up to four oxygen molecules.

O₂-Haemoglobin Dissociation CurvepO₂% Hb saturatedresting curveshifted RIGHT (Bohr effect:↑CO₂, ↑H⁺, ↑temperature)Sigmoid shape = cooperative binding; right-shift means O₂ is released more easily in active tissue

The S-shaped (sigmoid) curve reflects cooperative binding between Hb's four O₂ sites; the Bohr effect shifts the whole curve to the right under conditions found in actively respiring tissue (more CO₂, more acid, more heat), making haemoglobin release oxygen more readily exactly where it's needed.

Concept context

The mechanics of breathing, lung volumes, gas transport in blood, the Bohr effect, and respiratory regulation.

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