T2 L1: Erythrocytes Flashcards
Describe the effect of pO2 on how oxygen will bind to haemoglobin
High pO2 means more oxygen binds to Hb. It will detach when the pO2 is low
Why does oxygen need haemoglobin to enable its transport?
Because oxygen in poorly soluble in plasma. Normal arterial blood carries 70x more oxygen on haemoglobin than dissolved directly in plasma
How many molecules of ATP are produced at the end of oxidative respiration?
36
What is produced in anaerobic glycolysis and how many molecules of it?
2 lactate and 2 ATP
What % of dry weight of red blood cells is haemoglobin?
95%
What are the allosteric properties of haemoglobin with O2?
When the first oxygen binds, the affinity increases
Where is myoglobin found?
In muscles
What charge is unbound Iron ion in haemoglobin?
2+
What is HbA and what is its structure?
Adult haemoglobin (maternal haemoglobin). It’s a tetramer made of 2 alpha and 2 beta subunits
What is HbF and what is its structure?
Foetal haemoglobin. It’s made up of 2 alpha and 2 gamma subunits
Describe the Bohr effect on oxygen binding when pH is low
Low affinity of Hb for O2, high for CO2
Where does O2 bind to Hb compared to CO2 and H+?
At a different site of Hb
What % of CO2 is dissolved in blood?
10%
What % of CO2 is as carbamino Hb?
22%
What % of CO2 is as HCO3-?
68%
What is a Band 3 protein and what is its function?
A membrane exchange protein that allows bicarbonate to leave in exchange for Cl-
What is HHb?
Acidified Hb (has a H+)
Where is a higher concentration of Cl- inside RBC’s, in venous or arterial blood?
In venous blood
What type of curve does myoglobin have on a partial pressure and fractional saturation graph?
A hyperbolic curve (very steep)
What type of curve does heamoglobin have on a partial pressure and fractional saturation graph?
A sigmoidal (s-shape)
What does a rightward shift indicate about the affinity for oxygen?
Decreased affinity
What 4 molecules encourage a rightward shift of affinity in muscles?
Increased presence of CO2, H+, Cl- and Bisphopho-glycerate
Why does a rightward shift of Hb affinity happen in muscles?
To lower affinity so that O2 can dissociate from haemoglobin
What is the function of Bisphospho-glycerate (2,3-DPG) in red blood cells?
It facilitates O2 dissociation by binding to Hb and lowering its affinity for O2 (causing a rightward shift)
Why does Foetal Hb (HbF) have a higher affinity for O2?
Because it has a low affinity for 2,3-DPG (Bisphospho-glycerate) compared to maternal blood so a rightward shift is not achieved as easily.