The Oxyhaemoglobin Dissociation Curve

Question 1

What is the function of a red blood
cell?

Answer 1

To transport oxygen within the blood

Question 2

Describe the structure of haemoglobin:

Answer 2

It is a protein with a quaternary structure

Question 3

What is another important type of haemoglobin? What is able to do (function)?

Answer 3

Another type of haemoglobin is myoglobin. Myoglobin is able to store and hold onto oxygen even at very low partial pressures

Question 4

What are the key phrases involved in the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve?

Answer 4

1. Affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen
2. Saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen
3. Loading/association of haemoglobin
4. Unloading/diassociation of haemoglobin

Question 5

What does each key phrase refer to?
1. Affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen

2. Saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen
3. Loading/association of haemoglobin
4. Unloading/disassociation of haemoglobin

Answer 5

1. Affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen
   ability of haemoglobin to attract, or bind, oxygen
2. Saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen
   when haemoglobin is holding the maximum amount of oxygen it can bind with
3. Loading/association of haemoglobin
   The binding of oxygen to haemoglobin
4. Unloading/disassociation of haemoglobin
   When oxygen detaches, or unbinds, from haemoglobin