3.3.4.1 Mass transport in animals Flashcards
What is the role of haemoglobin?
transport of oxygen
What is the structure of haemoglobin?
- globular protein
- 4 polypeptide chains (2 alpha 2 beta)
- quaternary structure
- haem group (Fe2+)
Association
The loading of oxygen onto a haemoglobin molecule
Dissociation
The unloading of oxygen from a haemoglobin molecule
High Affinity
Haemoglobin that can load oxygen very easily
Has a shift to the left of the oxygen dissociation curve as it is easier to load and takes less time to become saturated
Low Affinity
Haemoglobin that can unload oxygen very easily
Has a shift to the right of the oxygen dissociation curve as it is harder to load and takes more time to become saturated
Positive Cooperativity
As oxygen binds to the first haem group, a change in the quaternary structure of the haemoglobin makes association easier for the other oxygen molecules.
(other than the final one which rarely associates)
Probability (low chance)
The reason why the fourth haem group isn’t always saturated despite positive cooperativity making the haemoglobin a more ideal quaternary structure for association
Partial Pressure
Measuring the concentration of a specific gas within an area where there is a range of molecules
Name three factors affecting
oxyhaemoglobin binding.
- Partial pressure of oxygen.
- Partial pressure of carbon dioxide.
- Saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen.
How does partial pressure of oxygen
affect oxygen-haemoglobin binding?
As partial pressure of oxygen increases, the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen also increases, so oxygen binds tightly to haemoglobin.
How does partial pressure of carbon
dioxide affect oxygen-haemoglobin binding?
As partial pressure of carbon dioxide increases, the
conditions become acidic causing haemoglobin to
change shape.
The affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen therefore decreases, so oxygen is released from haemoglobin.
What is the partial pressure of carbon dioxide binding called?
Bohr effect
How does saturation of haemoglobin
with oxygen affect oxygen-haemoglobin binding?
It is hard for the first oxygen molecule to bind. Once
it does, the haemoglobin molecule changes shape to make it easier for the second and third molecules to bind, known as positive cooperativity.
It is then slightly harder for the fourth oxygen molecule to bind because there is a low chance of finding a binding site.
Explain why oxygen binds to haemoglobin in the lungs.
- Partial pressure of oxygen is high.
- Low concentration of carbon dioxide in the lungs,
so affinity is high. - Positive cooperativity
Explain why oxygen is released from
haemoglobin in respiring tissues.
- Partial pressure of oxygen is low
- High concentration of carbon dioxide
in respiring tissues, so affinity
decreases.
How does carbon dioxide affect the
position of an oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve?
Curve shifts to the right because haemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen has decreased.
Outline some common features of a
mammalian circulatory system. (3)
- Suitable medium for transport
- Means of moving the medium and maintaining
pressure throughout the body - Means of controlling flow so it remains
unidirectional
Relate the structure of the atria to its function.
thin-walled and elastic, so they can stretch when filled with blood
Relate the structure of the ventricles to their function.
thick muscular walls pump blood under high pressure.
The left ventricle is thicker than the right because it has to pump blood all the way around the body.
Relate the structure of the arteries to their function.
Arteries have thick walls to handle high pressure
without tearing.
Are muscular and elastic to control blood flow.
Relate the structure of the veins to their function.
Veins have thin walls due to lower pressure, therefore requiring valves to ensure blood doesn’t flow backwards.
Have less muscular and elastic
tissue as they don’t have to control blood flow.
Why are two pumps (left and right) needed instead of one?
To maintain blood pressure around the whole body.
Left atrium
receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and then empties the blood into the left ventricle.
Left Ventricle
The chamber of the heart that holds oxygenated blood that is forced in from the atrium
Right Atrium
the first chamber that deoxygenated blood flows through from the vena cava
Right Ventricle
The chamber of the heart that holds deoxygenated blood that is forced in from the atrium
Atrioventricular Valves
The valves that separate the atria from the ventricles