Mass Transport Flashcards
What is the primary structure of a protein?
The sequence of amino acids.
What is the secondary structure of a protein?
The positioning of hydrogen bonds which fold the protein into a helix shape.
What is the teritary structure of a protein?
The positioning of disulfide bridges, hydrogen and ionic bonds which further coils the protein into a specific structure.
What is the tertiary structure?
The way 4 polypeptide chains are joined together.
What are the polypeptides associated with in haemoglobin?
A haem group, Fe2+ ion which can bind to oxygen.
What is the process in which haemoglobin binds to oxygen called?
Loading/ associating
What is the process in which haemoglobin releases its oxygen called?
Unloading/ disassociating
What does the oxygen dissociation curve represent?
The relationship between the saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen and the partial pressure of oxygen.
Explain the shape of the oxygen dissociation curve.
Little oxygen will bind initially as the shape of the haemoglobin molecule makes it difficult for the oxygen to bind. Once one oxygen has been bound the tertiary structure of the protein changes making it easier for another oxygen to bind, making it even easier for another oxygen to bind. However, it then is harder for the fourth to bind as there is a 1/4 chance of the oxygen being close to a binding site as the other are full.
What is positive cooperativity?
Binding of the first molecule makes binding of the second molecule easier.
Does the affinity for oxygen increase or decrease as if the curve moves left?
Increase
Does the affinity for oxygen increase or decrease if the curve moves right?
Decrease.
What is the Bohr effect?
the greater the concentration of CO2 the more readily oxygen will be unleaded from haemoglobin.
How does CO2 cause haemoglobin to release oxygen?
CO2 forms an acidic solution which changes the tertiary structure of the haemoglobin causing it to release the oxygen it is carrying.
Name four features of a transport system
- A suitable medium to carry materials,
- A form of mass transport,
- A closed system of tubular vessels to contain the transport medium,
- A mechanism for moving the transport medium.
What carries blood from the right ventricle to the lungs? What carries blood from the lungs to the right atria?
The Pulmonary artery
The Pulmonary Vein