What is the role of the amino acid histidine in the binding of oxygen to hemoglobin?

A It helps to stabilize the deoxy form of hemoglobin
B It facilitates the binding of oxygen to the heme group
C It is involved in the Bohr effect, which regulates oxygen binding ✓
D It is not directly involved in oxygen binding to hemoglobin

Explanation

The amino acid histidine plays a crucial role in the Bohr effect, which is the decrease in oxygen affinity of hemoglobin in response to an increase in carbon dioxide and hydrogen ions. This effect helps to regulate oxygen binding and release.

Source

Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology
Hematology Hematology: Hemoglobin and Oxygen Transport Hematology: Hemoglobin and Oxygen Transport Medium MEDICAL Confidence: high