Where on the haemoglobin molecule does carbon dioxide bind?
ATo the iron atom at the centre of each heme
BTo the same site that binds oxygen molecules
CTo the phospholipid of the red cell membrane
DTo amino acid groups on the globin portions
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. To amino acid groups on the globin portions
1. Oxygen binds the iron held within heme.
2. Carbon dioxide does not bind iron at all.
3. It binds amino acid groups on the globin portions of the molecule, forming carbaminohaemoglobin.
4. Because the two gases use different sites, haemoglobin can carry both at once, which is why the first two options are wrong.
_Source: OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology (CC BY 4.0), Ch 22 "The Respiratory System", section 22.5 Transport of Gases_
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