Oxygen dissociation curve

Question 1

dissociation curve

Answer 1

• oxygen affinity of haemoglobin is high at
  high partial pressure of oxygen
• oxygen affinity reduces as the partial
  pressure of oxygen decreases
• a small decreases in oxygen partial
  pressure leads to large dissociation of
  oxygen
• a small increase in oxygen partial
  pressure leads to a large association of
  oxygen

Question 2

dissociation curve of foetal haemoglobin

Answer 2

a foetal haemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen at the same partial pressure of oxygen, so the curve moves to the left.

Question 3

dissociation curve of high altitude animals

Answer 3

an increase in altitude leads to a decrease of oxygen partial pressure so its curve is to the left of a human

Question 4

effect of CO2 on dissociation curve

Answer 4

a high concentration of CO2 means the oxygen will dissociate more readily, so the curve is moved to the right, this is known as the Bohr effect