Video - Oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve

The oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve is a graphical representation of the relationship between the amount of oxygen bound to hemoglobin and the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood. The curve is sigmoidal, with a steep slope at low partial pressures of oxygen and a more gradual slope at higher partial pressures. This allows hemoglobin to bind oxygen efficiently at a wide range of partial pressures, ensuring that the body's tissues receive an adequate supply of oxygen.

However, factors like PCO2, pH, temperature, 2-3-DPG, hemoglobin type, and carbon monoxide can all affect the oxygen-hemoglobin affinity, causing a shift in the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve to the right or left, as they make hemoglobin more or less likely to unload oxygen in the tissues.