3 - Oxygen Dissociation

Question 1

Co-operative binding of O2

Answer 1

Binding of first molecule changes quaternary structure of haemoglobin which uncovers another haem group

Question 2

Muscles

Answer 2

• Low PO2 so lower affinity for oxygen - oxygen dissociates from Hb- Hb unloads O2 which diffuses into muscle tissue cells for respiration

Question 3

Bohr effect

Answer 3

• increase in co2 - curve shifts to right- haemoglobin releases more O2 to muscles for respiration
• Due to decrease in pH - carbonic acid formed and increase in hydrogen ions