If fetal haemoglobin is so good at binding oxygen, why aren't we adapted to keep it until adulthood?

Firstly, although fetal haemoglobin is better at binding oxygen, it is also worse at giving up oxygen to the tissues which need it. Secondly, if adults had haemoglobin with the same affinity for oxygen as fetuses, the oxygen would be too tightly bound to the haemoglobin in the mother's blood to transfer to the fetus!

AB

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

7 Albinism is a genetic trait resulting from the inheritance of recessive alleles. (a) (i) Distinguish between the terms allele and gene. (ii) Explain the meaning of the term recessive allele.


Did we evolve from apes? What does the term 'common ancestor' really mean?


Describe how mRNA is produced in the nucleus of a cell


Describe the processes that occur at a cholinergic synapse to allow signal transmission