Define the term hemoglobin F

Question

Define the term hemoglobin F? Why does fetus require different hemoglobin?

Answer 1

Hemoglobin F is a hemoglobin found in the mammalian fetus and hemoglobin A is the common hemoglobin. Hemoglobin F has greater affinity for oxygen.

The fetus requires hemoglobin capable of extracting oxygen from mother’s circulation. Thus the fetus employs hemoglobin F as it has higher affinity for oxygen than the mother’s hemoglobin.