oxygen binding curve

The oxygen binding curve describes how hemoglobin in red blood cells picks up oxygen in the lungs and releases it in tissues. It’s a graph showing the relationship between oxygen levels and hemoglobin’s oxygen saturation. When oxygen is plentiful, hemoglobin binds it easily, reaching near maximum saturation. As oxygen levels drop, such as in tissues, hemoglobin releases oxygen. The curve is S-shaped, meaning hemoglobin binds oxygen quickly at intermediate levels but releases it more readily when oxygen decreases, ensuring efficient oxygen delivery throughout the body.