Question

The oxygen dissociation curve of myoglobin is:

• A. Sigmoid
• B. Rectangular hyperbola
• C. Flat
• D. Hampered

Hint:

Remember that myoglobin, found in muscle tissues, binds oxygen more strongly than hemoglobin. Its oxygen dissociation curve is hyperbolic, indicating that it binds oxygen more readily at lower oxygen concentrations compared to hemoglobin.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The oxygen dissociation curve of myoglobin is characterized as a rectangular hyperbola. Unlike hemoglobin, which shows a sigmoid curve due to cooperative binding, myoglobin binds oxygen with a hyperbolic relationship. The binding curve is steep at low oxygen concentrations and reaches a plateau as the oxygen concentration increases.
- Option (1) is incorrect because the oxygen dissociation curve of myoglobin is not sigmoid. This characteristic is typical of hemoglobin, which exhibits cooperative binding.
- Option (2) is correct because myoglobin's oxygen dissociation curve is a rectangular hyperbola, reflecting its non-cooperative binding behavior.
- Option (3) is incorrect because the curve is not flat but shows a characteristic steep rise.
- Option (4) is incorrect as 'hampered' does not describe the oxygen dissociation curve.
Thus, the correct answer is option (2): Rectangular hyperbola.