Hemoglobin exists in equilibrium with deoxyhemoglobin. Name and describe the factors that stabilize the deoxy form of hemoglobin.
a) Increased acidity - protonation stabilizes deoxyhemoglobin.
b) Temperature decrease - cooling favors the deoxy form.
c) High CO2 levels - carbamate formation promotes deoxyhemoglobin.
d) BPG binding - 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate stabilizes the deoxy form.