O and CO2 in animals

Question 1

Dissociation curve

Answer 1

A graph that illustrates the relationship between the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood and the saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen.

Question 2

Saturation

Answer 2

Haemoglobin is referred to as being saturated when all of its oxygen binding sites are taken up with oxygen; so when it contains four oxygen molecules.

Question 3

Bohr shift

Answer 3

Changes in the oxygen dissociation curve as a result of carbon dioxide levels.

Question 4

Chloride shift

Answer 4

The movement of chloride ions into red blood cells. This maintains the electrochemical equilibrium of the cell.

Question 5

Partial pressure

Answer 5

The pressure exerted by oxygen within a mixture of gases; it is a measure of oxygen concentration.

Question 6

What are the different ways CO2 can be dissolved and by how much percent?

Answer 6

• 5% of CO2 is dissolved in solution in the plasma.
• 85% as hydrogen carbonate.
• 10% in combination with haemoglobin.

Question 7

Myoglobin

Answer 7

A protein in muscle cells that stores oxygen for cellular respiration.

Question 8

Foetal haemoglobin

Answer 8

The main oxygen carrier protein in the human fetus.