Question

The hormone Erythropoietin (EPO) is produced in the kidneys. EPO triggers the bone marrow to overproduce red blood cells which result in boosting oxygen supply. EPO is legally used to treat anemia and some athletes use EPO, illegally, to improve their performance, a practice called "blood doping". Use what you know about the process of glucose metabolism to explain how EPO can be used in enhance performance in athletes. Then discuss if you support the practice of blood doping, use facts and examples to support your position.

Answer 1

* Oxygen is essential for life and the body has developed method to collect oxygen in the lungs and transport it to tissues.

* Hb contained within red blood cells is the key oxygen carrying component in blood and levels of RBCs are tightly controlled according to demand for oxygen.

* oxygen plays a critical role in athletic performance and agents that enhance oxygen delivery to tissues increse aerobic power.

* RBCs are the most abundant of total circulating cells represents total blood volume of total circulating cells.

* EPO is a circulating glycosylated protein hormone that is the primary regulator of RBC formation.

* Endogenous EPO is produced in the amounts that corresponds to the concentration of oxygen in the blood and is synthesized primarily in the kidney.

* Successful cloning of human EPO gene allowed for the production of recombinant human erythropoietin.

* Some athletes abuse rHUEPO because it increses the O2 supply to the muscles and boosts performance in sports.

* The affinity of O2 for Hb in RBCs is increased with low temperature, low co2 and low 2,3 DPG ( 2,3 diphospo glycerate) which is the process of glucose metabolism as occurs in lungs.

* By injecting EPO, athletes aim to increase the number of red blood cells and aerobic capacity.

* If EPO levels are too high the body will produce too many red blood cells Which can thicken the blood, leading to clotting, heart attack and stroke.

No blood doping is not supported at all because it is unethical matter according to law by using facts.