How does low body temperature affect the blood's ability to carry dissolved oxygen?
Answer (2)
The amount of dissolved oxygen in the blood ** decreases with a higher temperature. Therefore a low body temperature actually allows a higher concentration of dissolved oxygen. However obviously, if your body temperature goes too low things like enzymes start to not function optimally or work at all.
Low body temperature increases hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, making it less likely to release oxygen to tissues. This can lead to oxygen deprivation in vital organs if the low temperature is sustained. Therefore, while dissolved oxygen levels in blood may initially increase, the overall delivery of oxygen to cells is compromised.
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