What is the significance of the Bohr effect in hemoglobin's oxygen transport mechanism?

A It increases oxygen affinity in response to increased CO2
B It decreases oxygen affinity in response to increased CO2 ✓
C It has no effect on oxygen affinity
D It only occurs in fetal hemoglobin

Explanation

The Bohr effect describes how an increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) and a decrease in pH (increase in acidity) lead to a decrease in hemoglobin's oxygen affinity, facilitating oxygen release 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