Question

If a red blood cell is 100% saturated, how many molecules of O2 are bound to it?1 billion molecules of O24 molecules of O2250 million molecules of O2?

Answer 1

1 billion molecules O₂

Step-by-step explanation:

From my research, a human red blood cell contains approximately 270 million hemoglobin molecules.

A hemoglobin molecule contains four heme groups, each of which has an iron ion forming a coordination complex that carries every dioxygen molecule. Therefore for each hemoglobin molecule, we will have 4 dioxygen molecules. The heme groups are responsible for the transport of every dioxygen and other diatomic gases.

Hence, the number of O₂ molecules in a red blood cell saturated with 100% will be:

`(270 \cdot10^(6) hemoglobine molecules)/(1 red blood cell) \cdot (4 heme group)/(1 hemoglobine molecule) \cdot (1 O_(2) molecules)/(1 heme group) = 1 \cdot 10^(9) O_(2) (molecules)/(red blood cell)`

So, the correct answer is 1 billion of O₂ molecules.

Have a nice day!