Final answer:
The Haldane effect describes how deoxygenated blood can hold more carbon dioxide than oxygenated blood. This is due to hemoglobin's varying affinity for CO2 depending on its oxygenation state, playing a key role in gas exchange.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phenomenon that oxygenated blood can hold less carbon dioxide than deoxygenated blood is known as the Haldane effect. This effect is due to the relationship between the partial pressure of oxygen and the affinity of hemoglobin for carbon dioxide. Hemoglobin, when not bound to oxygen and the partial pressure of oxygen is low, binds more readily to carbon dioxide. Conversely, hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen does not bind carbon dioxide as readily.
The Haldane effect plays a crucial role in carbon dioxide transport: as blood reaches the tissues and unloads oxygen, it increases its capacity to capture carbon dioxide from the tissues, which is then released into the lungs. This interchange facilitated by the Haldane effect is essential for efficient gas exchange during respiration.