Haemoglobin and oxygen dissociation curves

Question 1

What shaped curve does the graph have s

Answer 1

S

Question 2

? What is on the x axis

Answer 2

Partial pressure

Question 3

What is on the y axis?

Answer 3

% Saturation of oxygen

Question 4

Why is there a curve?

Answer 4

1. It’s difficult for the 1st haem group to bind
2. Easier for the 2nd
3. Even easier for the 3rd
4. Difficult for the 4th

Question 5

What is and what happens at the lower end of the X axis (partial pressure)?

Answer 5

• respiring tissues

- unloading

Question 6

What is and what happens athigher end of the x axis?

Answer 6

• Lungs

- loading

Question 7

How is the graph used?

Answer 7

To find how much is unloaded

Question 8

How do you work out how much is unloaded?

Answer 8

1. Assume it has 100%
   2.from partial pressure go up till the line and work out saturation
2. Take away 100 from the saturation
   That equals now much is unloaded

Question 9

If there’s two lines , which one has the higher affinity?

Answer 9

The one on the left

Question 10

What does the graph show?

Answer 10

Gradual loading