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Question #46311
The Question
Deep-diving marine mammals possess exceptionally high concentrations of a specific monomeric respiratory pigment in their skeletal muscles. If the oxygen dissociation curve of this pigment is plotted alongside standard adult human hemoglobin (HbA), which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
Options
- A.
The muscle pigment exhibits a hyperbolic curve, indicating a lack of cooperative oxygen binding.
- B.
The muscle pigment maintains a higher percentage of oxygen saturation at a pO2 of 40 mm Hg compared to HbA.
- C.
Increased pCO2 during a prolonged dive causes a significant rightward shift in the muscle pigment's curve to facilitate oxygen unloading.
- D.
Unlike HbA, the muscle pigment acts primarily as an intracellular oxygen reservoir rather than a systemic transport molecule.
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Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Evolutionary_Exception
Tackle problems where standard rules evolve or change based on specific environmental constraints.
Concepts Behind This Question
Myoglobin|Hemoglobin|Hyperbolic_vs_Sigmoid_Curve
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Distinguishing between the allosteric, tetrameric structure of Hemoglobin and the monomeric structure of Myoglobin.
Common Misconception: Students often blindly apply the 'Bohr effect' (high pCO2 causing a rightward shift for O2 unloading) to all respiratory pigments.
They fail to realize that this allosteric property strictly requires a multi-subunit (quaternary) structure, which myoglobin lacks.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Breathing and Exchange of Gases - Class 11 |
| Concept | Oxygen-Hemoglobin Dissociation Curve |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |