Haemoglobin

• What is the primary function of haemoglobin in the body?

  To carry oxygen around the body
• How does the structure of haemoglobin contribute to its function?

  Haemoglobin has a quaternary structure made up of multiple polypeptide chains, allowing it to carry oxygen effectively
• How many polypeptide chains make up haemoglobin?

  Four polypeptide chains
• What role does the iron ion play in haemoglobin?

  The iron ion in the heme group binds to oxygen, giving haemoglobin its red color
• What is the maximum number of oxygen molecules that one haemoglobin molecule can carry?

  Four oxygen molecules
• What happens to oxygen when it binds to haemoglobin in red blood cells?

  It forms oxyhaemoglobin, which is a reversible reaction
• What occurs when oxygen leaves oxyhaemoglobin?

  Haemoglobin dissociates from oxygen and returns to its original form
• In which organisms is haemoglobin found?


  Haemoglobin is found in all vertebrates, earthworms, starfish, some plants, and some bacteria
• What does the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) measure?

  It measures the concentration of oxygen in a given environment
• How does the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) affect haemoglobin's affinity for oxygen?

  Haemoglobin's affinity for oxygen decreases at higher pCO2 levels
• What is the Bohr effect?

  The Bohr effect describes how increased carbon dioxide concentration leads to more oxygen being released from haemoglobin
• How does haemoglobin adapt in organisms living in low oxygen environments?

  They have haemoglobin with a higher affinity for oxygen
• What is the expected position of the dissociation curve for organisms with high oxygen demand?

  The curve is shifted to the right, indicating a lower affinity for oxygen
• What are the key features of the oxygen dissociation curve for haemoglobin?

  • S-shaped curve
  • High pO2 leads to high saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen
  • Low pO2 leads to low saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen
  • Shape changes as oxygen binds, facilitating further binding
• What is the significance of the S-shaped curve in oxygen dissociation?

  It indicates how haemoglobin's affinity for oxygen changes with varying oxygen concentrations
• Why do cells release carbon dioxide during respiration?

  Cells produce carbon dioxide as a byproduct of metabolic processes
• How does the presence of carbon dioxide affect the saturation of blood with oxygen?

  Higher carbon dioxide levels lower the saturation of blood with oxygen
• How does the dissociation curve shift in response to increased carbon dioxide levels?

  The dissociation curve shifts to the right, indicating increased oxygen unloading
• What is the relationship between haemoglobin and oxygen transport in different organisms?

  Different organisms have different types of haemoglobin adapted for their specific environments
• What adaptations do organisms in high altitude environments have regarding haemoglobin?

  They have haemoglobin that can function effectively at lower partial pressures of oxygen
• What is the expected curve for earthworm haemoglobin in low oxygen environments?

  The curve is shifted to the left, indicating a higher affinity for oxygen
• What are the warm-up questions related to haemoglobin and oxygen transport?

  1. How many oxygen molecules can each haemoglobin molecule carry?
  2. Where in the body would you find a low partial pressure of oxygen?
  3. Why are oxygen dissociation curves S-shaped?
• What is the significance of understanding partial pressure in relation to haemoglobin?

  Understanding partial pressure helps clarify how oxygen concentration affects haemoglobin's function