: the decrease in the oxygen affinity of a respiratory pigment (such as hemoglobin) in response to decreased blood pH resulting from increased carbon dioxide concentration in the blood
Examples of Bohr effect in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Thanks to a phenomenon called the Bohr effect, rising acidity reduces the ability of your red blood cells to ferry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body, including your brain.
—
Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 24 Apr. 2025
The Geneo Personal capsule combined with the Gel create a layer of CO2 bubbles on the skin which triggers a natural mechanism to release oxygen from the capillaries to the skin's cells, a physiological response known as the Bohr effect.
—Meggen Taylor, Forbes, 20 May 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alex Hutchinson, Outside Online, 24 Apr. 2025
The Geneo Personal capsule combined with the Gel create a layer of CO2 bubbles on the skin which triggers a natural mechanism to release oxygen from the capillaries to the skin's cells, a physiological response known as the Bohr effect.
—Meggen Taylor, Forbes, 20 May 2021
Cite this Entry
“Bohr effect.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bohr%20effect. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
Bohr effect
noun
: the decrease in oxygen affinity of a respiratory pigment (as hemoglobin or hemocyanin) in response to decreased blood pH resulting from increased carbon dioxide concentration
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share