Haemoglobin and gas transport Flashcards
How many mL of O2 are dissolved per litre of plasma?
3ml
What is the effect of haemoglobin in terms of increasing the carrying capacity of O2 of RBCs?
Increases the carrying capacity of RBCs to 200ml/l
Explain PaO2 in terms of gas transport
PaO2 describes O2 in solution ONLY.
Does NOT describe arterial O2 content
PaO2 in the gaseous phase is what is driving the O2 into solution.
Therefore, the partial pressure of gas in a solution is = to the partial pressure driving gas into solution.
Define oxygen tension and state its value and how this is calculated
Oxygen tension: pressure driving O2 into solution = 100mmHg
O2 solubility = 0.03ml/L/mmHg and
3ml of O2 per L of plasma so
3/0.03=100mmHg
What is the O2 demand of resting tissues?
250ml/min
Compare how plasma alone would meet the O2 demand of resting tissues to when haemoglobin is present
Plasma: 3ml/L x a Cardiac output of 5L/min would equal 15ml/min of O2 delivered to tissues
Haemoglobin: 200ml/L x a CO of 5L/mon would equal 1000ml/min of )2 delivered to tissues, therefore only 25% of O2 acquired by haemoglobin is taken up by tissues
What is the volume of O2 in every litre of systemic arterial blood?
What proportions are bound to haemoglobin or dissolved in solution?
Volume of O2 in systemic arterial blood: 200ml/L
98% is bound to haemoglobin, the rest is dissolved in solution
How many oxygen molecules can co-operatively bind to one molecule of haemoglobin?
4
How many grams of haemoglobin are there per litre of plasma?
150g/l
How millilitres of oxygen are there per gram of haemoglobin?
1.34ml/g
What is the determinant of the degree of saturation of haemoglobin?
The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood
Describe the proportions of the different types of haemoglobin in blood
92% is HbA - 2alpha and 2beta chains
8% is HbA2 (2alpha and 2delta chains), HbF(2alpha and 2gamma chains) and glycosylated Hb (HbA1a, 1b and 1c)
How does haemoglobin help to maintain the partial pressure gradient of oxygen?
Hb sequesters O2 from plasma maintaining a partial pressure gradient that enable s oxygen to be sucked from the alveoli until the haemoglobin is saturated with oxygen. This is maintained by the partial pressure in the plasma as opposed to the partial pressure in the alveoli.
How long does it take for haemoglobin to become saturated?
Within 0.25s contact with alveoli
Total contact time = 0.75s
Describe the oxygen haemoglobin saturation curve
Nearly 100% (98%) saturated at 100mmHg (normal PaO2)
Permits normal O2 uptake even when PAO2 low e.g. 90% saturated at 60mmHg
Even at 40mmHg (the normal PvO2) there is a 75% reserve capacity