What is the role of hemoglobin's alpha-subunit in the binding of oxygen?

A It binds to oxygen with high affinity, facilitating its release to tissues
B It binds to oxygen with low affinity, reducing the overall oxygen-carrying capacity
C It does not bind to oxygen directly, but influences the binding affinity of other subunits ✓
D It is not involved in oxygen binding, but rather in the transport of carbon dioxide

Explanation

The alpha-subunit of hemoglobin plays a crucial role in the cooperative binding of oxygen, influencing the binding affinity of other subunits and facilitating the efficient transport of oxygen to tissues.

Source

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