Haemoglobin Flashcards
1
Q
what is haemoglobin?
A
a protein with a 4° structure.
2
Q
where is haemoglobin found?
A
in red blood cells
3
Q
what is the role of haemoglobin? give the equation
A
it transports oxygen
haemoglobin + oxygen ⇄ oxyhaemoglobin
4
Q
what is found on the x and y axis of an oxygen dissociation curve?
A
y - % saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen
x - partial pressure of oxygen
5
Q
explain an oxygen dissociation curve
A
- Oxygen loads onto haemoglobin at a high partial pressure
- so haemoglobin becomes saturated with oxygen
- oxygen then unloads at cells where the partial pressure of oxygen is lower
6
Q
explain the Bohr shift in the context of respiration
A
- respiration increases the amount of CO₂ in the blood
- this increases the acidity of the blood which decreases haemoglobins affinity for O₂
- so O₂ unloads more easily at respiring cells
- therefore haemoglobin is less saturated with O₂ because more has been released at respiring cells
7
Q
describe the benefits of an oxygen dissociation curve which is further to the right
A
- haemoglobin has a lower affinity for O₂
- so more O₂ is released at cells
- which is useful for animals with a high rate of respiration
- e.g small mammals
8
Q
describe the benefits of an oxygen dissociation curve which is further to the left
A
- lower partial pressure of O₂ in the lungs
- so haemoglobin has a higher affinity for O₂
- therefore O₂ can be loaded at a lower partial pressure
