Question

If a red blood cell is 100% saturated, how many molecules of O2 are bound to it?1 billion molecules of O24 molecules of O2250 million molecules of O2?

Answer 1

Answer:

1 billion molecules O₂

Explanation:

From my research, a human red blood cell contains approximately 270 million hemoglobin molecules.    

A hemoglobin molecule contains four heme groups, each of which has an iron ion forming a coordination complex that carries every dioxygen molecule. Therefore for each hemoglobin molecule, we will have 4 dioxygen molecules. The heme groups are responsible for the transport of every dioxygen and other diatomic gases.                    

Hence, the number of O₂ molecules in a red blood cell saturated with 100% will be:                

$\frac{270 \cdot10^{6} hemoglobine molecules}{1 red blood cell} \cdot \frac{4 heme group}{1 hemoglobine molecule} \cdot \frac{1 O_{2} molecules}{1 heme group} = 1 \cdot 10^{9} O_{2} \frac{molecules}{red blood cell}$

So, the correct answer is 1 billion of O₂ molecules.  

Have a nice day!