

If both hemoglobin A and hemoglobin S
have the same oxygen-carrying capacity
and exhibit the same oxygen saturation
curves when at low hemoglobin concentrations, then why does hemoglobin S
have a decreased oxygen-carrying capacity at the concentrations found in the red
cell? Trace the path of a red cell in sickle
cell disease from the lungs to the capillary
bed and back to the lungs, noting the hemoglobin changes that are likely to occur
during the journey.
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