We have examined the role of myoglobin to facilitate oxygen diffusion to active mitochondria in skeletal muscle by constructing computer simulation experiments. Steady state mitochondrial oxygen consumption under different conditions of supply PO2's in a system with and without myoglobin were examined for a one-dimensional slab of tissue. Oxygen consumption by mitochondria was saturable with the mitochondria located in bands at uniform intervals throughout the tissue. Under these conditions, myoglobin provides a measurable increase in oxygen transport for supply PO2's below 10 torr and diffusion lengths expected for skeletal muscle fibers. We conclude that only under circumstances where hypoxia lowers PO2 below 10 torr does myoglobin begin to provide a measurable increase in oxygen delivery to mitochondria.
