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Intra-vascular hemolysis results in the passage of hemoglobin into the blood. What is the consequence of this process?

1) Increased oxygen carrying capacity of the blood
2) Decreased oxygen carrying capacity of the blood
3) Increased carbon dioxide carrying capacity of the blood
4) Decreased carbon dioxide carrying capacity of the blood

User Niemerds
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Final answer:

2) Decreased oxygen carrying capacity of the blood.Intra-vascular hemolysis causes a decreased oxygen carrying capacity of the blood due to the release of free hemoglobin into the bloodstream,

Step-by-step explanation:

Intra-vascular hemolysis leads to the release of hemoglobin into the bloodstream, which in turn has consequences on oxygen transport. One might think that more free hemoglobin could increase the oxygen-carrying capacity; however, the opposite is true.

This process actually results in a decreased oxygen carrying capacity of the blood, which is answer 2. Free hemoglobin that is released into the bloodstream can lead to kidney damage and other complications.

Additionally, as hemoglobin is freely circulating rather than being within red blood cells, it can no longer effectively transport oxygen to body tissues. This leads to a range of symptoms and can be a serious medical concern.

Diseases like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia also decrease the blood's ability to deliver oxygen to tissues because of the malformed or deficient hemoglobin. Dissolved carbon dioxide in blood plasma, increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the blood can lead to a lower pH, which reduces hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen.

Consequently, these changes all contribute to a decreased ability of the blood to carry and deliver oxygen effectively, not an increase in any capacity for oxygen or carbon dioxide transportation.

User Dan Alboteanu
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