Based on the graph, it can be concluded that
(A) fetal hemoglobin surrenders O₂ more readily than maternal hemoglobin
(B) the dissociation curve of fetal hemoglobin is to the right of maternal hemoglobin
(C) fetal hemoglobin has a higher affinity for O₂ than does maternal hemoglobin
(D) fetal and maternal hemoglobin differ in structure

The affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen is reduced by many factors, including low pH and high CO₂. The graph below shows the different dissociation curves that maternal (normal) hemoglobin and fetal hemoglobin have.

Transcribed Image Text:

Percent Saturation of Hemoglobin 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 Fetal Maternal 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 pO₂(mm Hg)