Hemoglobin plays a part in a series of equilibria involving protonation-deprotonation and oxygenation-deoxygenation. The overall reaction is approximately as follows:

where Hb stands for hemoglobin and HbO2 for oxyhemoglobin.
(a) The concentration of O2 is higher in the lungs and lower in the tissues. What effect does high [O2] have on the position of this equilibrium?
(b) The normal pH of blood is 7.4. Is the blood acidic, basic, or neutral?
(c) If the blood pH is lowered by the presence of large amounts of acidic metabolism products, a condition known as acidosis results. What effect does lowering blood pH have on the ability of hemoglobin to transport O2?