Lecture 11

Question 1

What are the binding characteristics of oxygen?

Answer 1

Its the relation between available binding sites that are oxygenated and the partial pressure of the O2
as the partial pressure increases, it causes the increase in O2 present in the blood

Question 2

Saturation levels based on exercise

Answer 2

The more strenuous activities cause a decrease in O2 concentration in the blood

Question 3

What is myoglobin?

Answer 3

A protein that transports oxygen to muscle cells

Question 4

What’s the difference between hemoglobin and myoglobin in terms of saturation of oxygen?

Answer 4

Hemoglobin has a lot lower increase in percentage however, its max saturation is significantly higher than myoglobin, who initially has a fast inclination of saturation

Question 5

What if pigments need a high O2 partial pressure…

Answer 5

Will have a low affinity for O2 binding

Question 6

How does pH affect the saturation of oxygen in the blood?

Answer 6

Higher ph = higher saturation

Question 7

How does temperature affect the saturation of oxygen in the blood?

Answer 7

lower temperatures have higher O2 saturation

Question 8

What are the 8 functions of respiratory pigments?

Answer 8

1. Transport of O2
2. O2 storage
3. Buffer blood pH – pigments tend to move H+ when they offload oxygen (are deoxygenated
4. CO2 transport
5. Increase the rate of diffusion into cells (myoglobins inside muscle cells)
6. Signaling molecules
7. Nonrespiratory transport
8. Tissue functions (not O2 transport)

Question 9

What is carbon dioxide and why is it in the body?

Answer 9

Well it is from Oxygen affinity, and it is found in veins in the blood, and after it is dissolved into the body (5%) it can turn into bicarbonate, which is a buffer for pH, so with increased levels of Co2 in the body there is an increase in pH, leading to higher oxygen affinity

Question 10

What is the Haldane effect?

Answer 10

It talks about deoxygenation and how it promotes Co2 uptake in the blood, where oxygenation promotes CO2 removal

Question 11

What is the purpose of carbonic anhydrase?

Answer 11

Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that helps speed up the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into carbonic acid, which quickly breaks down into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. This process is essential for maintaining pH balance in the body and transporting carbon dioxide from tissues to the lungs for exhalation.