Question

A cat has lost enough blood to decrease his body’s hemoglobin concentration from 15g/100ml to 12 g/100 ml. Would there be a decrease in arterial PO2, Blood oxygen-carrying capacity, arterial hemoglobin saturation, or arterial oxygen content? I chose that there would be a decrease blood oxygen carrying capacity but could anyone explain as to why this is the case?

Answer 1

decrease blood oxygen carrying capacity

Explanation: function of the hemoglobin is to transport oxygen to different parts of the body. One Hb molecule can carry 4 oxygen molecules. The Hb concentration is decreased due to loss of blood, hence less amount of oxygen would be carried by the Hb. As there is no problem in the oxygen diffusion in the lung, the arterial PO2 and arterial oxygen content would be normal. Also there is no defect in the hemoglobin molecule, its saturation with oxygen will also be normal.