Topic 3- Haemoglobin Flashcards

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1
Q

What type of molecule is haemoglobin?

A

A protein

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1
Q

What structure does haemoglobin have?

A

Quaternary- multiple polypeptide chains bonded together

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2
Q

What is haemoglobin called when oxygen is bound?

A

Oxyhaemoglobin

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3
Q

What is haem group?

A

An atom of iron enclosed in a ring structure

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4
Q

What is the function of iron in the haem group?

A

To act as a magnet for oxygen (to form haemoglobin)

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5
Q

What is haemoglobins?

A

A group of similar structures that occur in a very wide range of different animals

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6
Q

What is the function of haemoglobin?

A

To carry oxygen around the body

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7
Q

When do haemoglobin molecules combine with oxygen?

A

When oxygen is present in high concentrations (alveoli in the lungs)

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8
Q

When is the process of oxyhaemoglobin reverse?

A

When the concentration of oxygen is low (in respiring tissue)

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9
Q

Define affinity

A

how readily haemoglobin acquires oxygen molecules

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10
Q

Define loading

A

haemoglobin acquires oxygen molecules

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11
Q

What is partial pressure?

A

The pressure exerted by a speciic gas in a mixture of other gases

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12
Q

What is the measurement of oxygen concentration?

A

po2

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13
Q

Define saturation

A

The extent to which haemoglobin is loaded

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14
Q

What is unloading?

A

as haemoglobin releases oxygen molecules

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15
Q

What does an oxygen dissociation curve show?

A

The degree of haemoglobin saturation with oxygen plotted against different values of partial pressure of oxygen

16
Q

Why does haemoglobin have cooperative bonding?

A

The haemoglobin changes shape when the 1st oxygen binds which makes it easier for further oxygens to bind

17
Q

Where is haemoglobin found?

A

In red blood cells in vertebrates, earthworms, star fish, some insects, some plants and bacteria

18
Q

What gives haemoglobin its read colour?

A

The haem group

19
Q

How many oxygen molecules can be carried by one molecule of haemoglobin

A

4

20
Q

The greater the 1.—- of dissolved oxygen in cells, the higher the partial pressure

A
  1. concentration
21
Q

As PO2 increases, haemoglobins 1—- for oxygen also increases

A

1.Affinity

22
Q

Where does oxygen enter the blood capillaries

A

The alveoli in the lungs

23
Q

Explain what happens during loading

A

-Alveoli have a high PO2 so oxygen loads onto haemoglobin to form oxyhaemoglobin
-When cells respire they use up oxygen which lowers the PO2
-Red blood cells deliver oxyhaemoglobin to respiring tissues where it unloads its oxygen
-The haemoglobin then returns to the lungs to pick up ore oxygen

24
Q

Does pCO2 effect oxygen unloading?

A

Yes as haemoglobin gives up oxyegn more easily at a high pCO2

25
Q

Why does pC02 increase when cells are respiring?

A

Respiring cells produce CO2

26
Q

what is the bohr effect?

A

-When the dissociation curve shifts right
-The rate of oxygen of oxygen unloading increases
-The saturation of blood is lower

27
Q

Give some examples of environments with a low oxygen concentration

A

-Underground
-At high altitudes
-Close to the seabeds

28
Q

What adaptations do animals that live in low oxygen environments have?

A

-Higher affinity because it has to be very good at loading any available oxygen
-Dissociation curve is left of a human