Question:

\(\text{O}_{2}\) gas has very low solubility in water. However, its solubility in blood is excessively high. This is because of

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Haemoglobin in red blood cells binds oxygen chemically and removes it from solution.
Updated On: Nov 12, 2026
  • water is less viscous than blood
  • blood is colloidal mixture
  • binding of \(\text{O}_{2}\) molecule to hemoglobin in blood.
  • blood has low pressure
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept
\(\text{O}_2\) is non-polar, so only a little dissolves physically in water, following Henry's law.

Step 2: Role of blood
Blood contains haemoglobin in red blood cells. Each haemoglobin binds up to four \(\text{O}_2\) molecules reversibly at its haem sites, forming oxyhaemoglobin.

Step 3: Conclusion
This chemical binding removes dissolved \(\text{O}_2\) from solution, so far more oxygen is taken up than in water.

Final Answer:
The high solubility is due to the binding of oxygen to haemoglobin. \[ \boxed{\text{(C) }\text{binding of O}_{2}\text{ molecule to hemoglobin in blood}} \]
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