Question

As climbers ascend (go up) a mountain, the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere

decreases. In the body, hemoglobin (Hb) in red blood cells binds with oxygen (02) to
form oxyhemoglobin (HbO2).

This equation can be used to model the equilibrium between hemoglobin , oxygen,
and oxyhemoglobin.

Hb + O2 <--> HbO2

According to Le Chatelier, how would the equilibrium shift as the climbers ascend to
higher altitudes?​

Answer 1

• shift to the left

Step-by-step explanation:

The equation that models the equilibrium between hemoglobin, oxygen, and oxyhemoglobin is:

`Hb(aq)+O_2(g)\rightleftharpoons HbO_2(aq)`

According to LeChatelier's principle, the equilibrium shifts to counteract the the unbalancing action.

As the climbers ascend, the concentration of oxygen, O₂(g) decreases, meaning that the reverse reaction will increase, allowing the oxyhemoglobin produce more oxygen. Thus, the equilbrium would shift to the left as the climbers ascend to higher altitudes.