Which of the following factors would increase the amount of oxygen discharged by hemoglobin to peripheral tissues?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: decreased pH. A decrease in pH (increased acidity) causes a rightward shift in the oxygen-hemoglobin dissociation curve, facilitating the release of oxygen from hemoglobin to peripheral tissues. This occurs due to the Bohr effect, where a decrease in pH weakens the bond between hemoglobin and oxygen, allowing for easier oxygen release.
Incorrect answers:
A: Decreased temperature would actually shift the dissociation curve to the left, making it more difficult for oxygen to be released from hemoglobin.
C: Increased tissue PO2 would lead to less oxygen being released from hemoglobin as the gradient for oxygen release decreases.
D: Decreased amounts of BPG would result in less oxygen being released as BPG helps facilitate oxygen unloading from hemoglobin in tissues.