Campbell Biology (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321775651
ISBN 13: 978-0-32177-565-8

Chapter 42 - Test Your Understanding - Level 3 - Synthesis/Evaluation - Page 945: 10

Answer

Fetal hemoglobin has more oxygen affinity than adult hemoglobin.

Work Step by Step

Since a fetus in utero is dependent on the circulation of blood from the placenta for gas exchange, its hemoglobin must be able to pull oxygen from maternal blood effectively. This is only possible when the maternal hemoglobin’s oxygen affinity is lower than the fetal hemoglobin’s oxygen affinity.
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