Haemoglobin Extra

Question 0

What is meant by low affinity?

Answer 0

Takes up oxygen less readily but releases more easily

Question 1

What is meant by high affinity?

Answer 1

Takes up oxygen more easily but relates less readily

Question 2

Define loading

Answer 2

Readily associating with oxygen at a gas exchange surface when oxygen is in abundance. Hb has high affinity for O2 here

Question 3

Define unloading

Answer 3

Readily dissociating from oxygen at the respiring tissues that have low oxygen levels

Question 4

Haemoglobin is only ever about 95% saturated, why?

Answer 4

It has to collide with the oxygen

Question 5

What effect does activity have on the curve?

Answer 5

The muscles of animals with energy demanding ways of life require lots of oxygen so their curve shifted right so there muscles get more oxygen

Question 6

What effect does size have on the curve?

Answer 6

Smaller animals have a large SA:vol ratio so lose heat more easily

So their curve is shifted right so they have more oxygen for respiration to generate heat

Question 7

What is the effect of environment on the curve?

Answer 7

If an organism is adapted to survive in low oxygen concentrations its curve shifts left which allows it to load as much oxygen as possible despite partial pressure being low