HALDANE EFFECT Meaning and
Definition
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The Haldane effect is a phenomenon that describes the effect of oxygenated blood on the carbon dioxide (CO2) transport capacity in the blood. Discovered by the British physiologist John Scott Haldane, the Haldane effect explains the relationship between the oxygenation state of blood hemoglobin and its ability to carry and release CO2.
In the lungs, when hemoglobin binds with oxygen, it undergoes a conformational change that enhances its affinity for oxygen. This conformational change decreases the binding affinity for CO2, causing oxygenated blood to have a reduced capacity for CO2 transport. As a result, the hemoglobin readily releases CO2 into the lungs, facilitating its removal from the body during exhalation.
On the other hand, in the periphery, where oxygen levels are lower, hemoglobin reduces its affinity for oxygen and increases its capacity to bind with CO2. This means that deoxygenated blood has a higher capacity to carry CO2 from the tissues back to the lungs for removal.
Overall, the Haldane effect establishes that the oxygenation state of hemoglobin influences its interaction with CO2, allowing for efficient gas exchange throughout the body. This phenomenon is essential in maintaining the proper balance of gases in the blood and is crucial for the respiratory system's functioning.
Etymology of HALDANE EFFECT
The word "Haldane effect" takes its name from John Scott Haldane, a Scottish physiologist and among the pioneers in the study of respiration and blood physiology. He was born in 1860 and made significant contributions to the understanding of how carbon dioxide (CO2) affects the oxygenation and transport of hemoglobin in the blood.
In 1905, Haldane published a paper titled "The Influence of Affinity of Haemoglobin for Oxygen on its Oxygen Pressure Curve". In his research, he observed that the binding of oxygen to hemoglobin was affected not just by the partial pressure of oxygen but also by the concentration of carbon dioxide. Specifically, he discovered that the presence of carbon dioxide enhances the release of oxygen from hemoglobin, suggesting a link between CO2 levels and oxygen transport in the blood.
