Any one subunit receives an oxygen molecule will increase the oxygen-binding affinity of the others
O2
Lung
When environmental [O2] increases, Hb binds oxygen efficiently
Artery
Muscle
Vein
Hemoglobin
(T) tense state
Myoglobin
100
Percent O2 saturation 80 60 40 20 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 Partial pressure of oxygen (pO2, mmHg) 120 Hemoglobin