Haemoglobin

• Explain why it is important for the survival of the llama that the llama haemoglobin dissociation curve is to the left of the camel haemoglobin dissociation curve.

  Llamas live at higher altitudes than camels.

  llama haemoglobin needs higher affinity for oxygen (1)

  (so) can pick up oxygen at lower partial pressure (of oxygen) (1)
• What are haemoglobins?

  groups of chemical similar globular protein molecules found in different organisms
• At which areas of the body is oxygen loaded?

  regions with high partial pressures of oxygen (e.g. alveoli)
• Where is oxygen unloaded from haemoglobin?

  regionis of low partial pressures of oxygen (e.g. respiring tissue)
• What does partial pressure mean?

  the pressure exerted by a gas (O2) within a mixture of other gases
• What is cooperative binding?

  + haemoglobin can undergo a conformational change to change its shape when the first oxygen molecule binds

  + this makes it easier for further oxygen molecules to bind (positive cooperativity)