The Bohr Effect

Albert Lee
albertle@scf.usc.edu
Bohr Effect
1.  URL address:
http://www.merck.com/!!tKNH50WVitKNH50WVi/pubs/mmanual/html/qjmnihfd.htm

2.  A brief description:
The Bohr Effect is when acute changes in the H ion concentration rapidly
affect the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve.

3.  Summary
Acid-base disturbances have potentially important effects on O2 transport
and tissue oxygenation. Acute changes in H ion concentration rapidly
affect the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve (Bohr effect); acidemia shifts
the curve to the left (decreased affinity of Hb for O2 facilitates release
of O2 to tissues), and alkalemia shifts the curve to the right (increased
affinity of Hb for O2 diminishes O2 release to tissues). 

4.  Equations
Henderson-Hasselbalch equation = pH = 6.1 + log (HCO3- / a*(PaCO2))

5.  Question:
use p.73 in Respiratory Physiology  (FIG 6.1)
What does the following conditions do to the Oxygen Dissociation Curve:
a)  acidemia
b)  alkalemia 

ANS: a) shifts curve to left    b) shifts curve to right

6.  Image: 
p.75 in Respiratory Physiology

Sample Problems:

Answers:

For more information on this topic, please refer to West , page .

Also, check out the following links that may be helpful:

• And, as always, if you have questions, or if you can suggest a helpful link, please e-mail me.

No!
Please don't make me go to any of those pages!
I want to go somewhere completely different!

This page was written by , a student in this course.

BME 403 Pages maintained by the T.A., Douglas Miles.