What factors allow an active muscle in our body to receive more oxygen than an inactive muscle? (Bohr effect)?

Answer 1

One thing that you'd have to look at is the blood flow through the muscle. What happens is that blood flow is not constant in all muscle. When it is that a muscle becomes more active, remember that's when blood vessels will open up more... think of it like this... like when you're blowing up one of those beach toys when it comes out of the package. You have to break the vacuum, but as more air gets in, the "flow" in that area increases... this is the best way I can explain that...

Anyway, remember as well that O2 will move from an area of higher concentration to lower. So what is happening is that in that area, there is more use of the muscle, so the O2 supply that was there before exercise is not adequate for the new activity. When the O2 tension goes low, then the "new" blood that is passing will give more O2 there than it would at a more relaxed portion of the body.

Just remember, at rest, there is a certain amount of blood that flows to every part of the body. With more muscle activity, there is shunting of blood to those areas where the blood is needed. So you'd have recruitment of more blood vessels (which were more closed during rest) and secondly, with lower O2 tension in the muscle, the transfer of O2 across the blood vessel into the muscle will be faster (remember there'd be a greater concentration gradient, and the greater the gradient, the greater the transfer).

Also from the molecular perspective, you'd have to look at the sigmoidal O2 binding curve that Hb has. At high O2 tensions, there is a lower affinity for O2 than at lower O2 tensions. Therefore, the Hb with 4 molecules of O2 passing in an area of low O2 tension (exercising muscle) would be more willing to give up its O2 than one that has one or 2 molecules.

Answer 2

A couple of things actually. First, the Bohr effect is a property of hemoglobin that decreases the binding affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen with decreasing pH. Meaning, the more hydrogen ions present, the more oxygen will be released from hemoglobin binding. When a skeletal muscle is active, aerobic respiration will produce more CO2 than a muscle at rest. CO2 is then transported by way of bicarbonate in the circulation to be removed in the lung. But a biproduct of bicarbonate formation is H+ ions. This reaction is carried out by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase (H2O + CO2 --> HCO3 + H+).

Another way the skeletal muscles receive more oxygen is by autoregulation of blood flow. The increasing CO2 in the region around the muscles affects smooth muscle on nearby arterioles. This autoregulation causes VASODILATION, and increased bloodflow to the skeletal muscle.

Answer 3

Do the basics; Squat, deadlift and leg press. Heavy weights with a low rep range around 5-8. To build muscle you need to have a calorie surplus and enough training stimulus. Ask your coach for help, I'm sure he will be more than willing to draw you up a program. Either that or look for Starting Strength 5x5

Answer 4

the active muscle uses the o2 within itself so the o2 is less in it than other cells so the o2 is diffused simply in it