Importance of proteins changing shape Flashcards
1
Q
Haemoglobin
A
Different tertiary structure
Foetal has a higher affinity for oxygen at low partial pressures of oxygen
Like those in the womb
Meaning oxygen can still get to the foetus even if there is little oxygen left in the mothers blood
Once born foetal Hb breaks down in the first few months
And is replaced by adult Hb
Which has a decreased affinity for oxygen
So more oxygen is unloaded at the respiring cells/tissue
So more aerobic respiration to produce the energy in the form of ATP needed for things like growth and movement
