Section 6 - Blood Flashcards
What is the blood’s main function?
To transport materials to and from cells
What does the blood contain that allows it to transport materials to and from cells?
Haemoglobin - a protein that contains iron and can carry oxygen
What is formed when oxygen and haemoglobin combine?
Oxyhaemoglobin
When there’s a lot of oxygen present, how many molecules of oxygen can one molecule of haemoglobin combine with?
Four
What is the haemoglobin called when one molecule of it combines with four molecules of oxygen?
100% saturated
What shape is the line graph of percentage saturation of haemoglobin with concentration of oxygen?
S - shaped
Where does haemoglobin become fully saturated with oxygen?
In the capillaries around the alveoli of the lungs, where there’s a high concentration of oxygen
What do respiring tissues produce?
Carbon dioxide
What makes the haemoglobin less efficient at releasing oxygen?
If there’s not a lot of carbon dioxide present
What makes the haemoglobin more efficient at releasing oxygen?
If there’s a lot of carbon dioxide present
What is the Bohr effect?
The effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the oxygen-binding properties of haemoglobin. When there is less carbon dioxide, the haemoglobin is less efficient at releasing oxygen however when there is more carbon dioxide, the haemoglobin is more efficient at releasing oxygen.
