Week 10 learning progressions

• What is hemoglobin saturation?

  Measure of how much hemoglobin is bound to O2 compared to unbound.
• What is hemoglobin? 


  Protein contained in red blood cells (RBCs) that facilitates the transport of oxygen in red blood cells. It also affects hemoglobin saturation.
• Hemoglobin saturation curve for changes in pH

  Lower pH = lower O2 saturation

  Higher pH = higher O2 saturation

  
• Hemoglobin saturation curve for changes in CO2 concentration

  Lower CO2 concentration = higher O2 saturation

  Higher CO2 concentration = lower O2 saturation

  
• Properties of RBCs

  • complex internal structures (nucleus, mitochondria)
  • Larger volume for oxygen binding protein, hemoglobin
• Factors that affect hemoglobin saturation

  1. Temperature
  2. pH
  3. CO2 concentration
  4. Genetic make-up (sickle cell, etc.)
• Factor that increases CO2 in blood

  Exercise (more ATP = more CO2)
• What is pH?


  Used to measure the basicity it’s and acidity of a solution
• What is acid? 


  Substance or compound that releases hydrogen ions (H+) when in a solution
• What is the relationship between CO2 and pH?

  When the pH of the blood starts to get too high (more H+ ions are needed), the body will combine more oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules to form more carbonic acid.

  Increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood therefore results in more H+ ions and a lower pH.
• Ventilation is regulated by CO2 levels in the blood
• How is ventilation measured?


  By peripheral and central chemoreceptors
• Maintaining homeostasis of blood pH and CO2 levels

  • Hyperventilation leads to less CO2 and higher pH
  • Hypoventilation leads to more CO2 and lower pH
• Respiratory acidosis

  Failure of ventilation and accumulation of carbon dioxide
• Respiratory alkalosis 


  Low level of CO2 in blood due to breathing excessively (hyperventilation). Breathing out too much CO2
• Metabolic acidosis


  Too much acid accumulates in body
• Metabolic alkalosis


  body’s pH is greater than 7.45. Disorder that elevated bicarbonate and stomach acid is decreased.