Question

Fetal haemoglobin has $X$ affinity for oxygen than that of mother's haemoglobin during gestation. $X$ is

• A. same
• B. higher
• C. lower
• D. lower affinity earlier but higher later

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Fetal haemoglobin is the main oxygen transport carrier in human fetus during the last seven months of development in the uterus and persists in the newborn until it is about $6$ months old. Functionally, fetal haemoglobin has a higher affinity to bind with oxygen molecules than the adult (or maternal) haemoglobin, giving the developing fetus better access to oxygen from the mother's blood stream.