What is the Bohr effect in exercise physiology?
Class, notice how with EXERCISE the oxygen-hemoglobin curve shifts to the RIGHT. This is because of four factors:
1) The decrease in pH (from the muscle cells getting more acidic)
2) An increase in muscle temperature (from muscle contraction)
3) An increase in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (from the working muscles)
4) An increase of a byproduct molecule from glycolysis known as 2,3-BPG.

This shifting of the curve to the RIGHT (from these 4 factors) is referred to as the Bohr effect. Christian Bohr is the scientist who first explained this occurence from aerobic exercise.

WHY IS THE BOHR EFFECT HELPFUL FOR AEROBIC EXERCISE?
When the curve shifts to the RIGHT in the Bohr effect, the blood is RELEASING MORE OXYGEN to tissues (i.e. muscles) for Aerobic Exercise!

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