Mass transport in animals

• How does the partial pressure of oxygen affect how it binds onto haemoglobin?

  As the partial pressure of oxygen increases, the affinity of oxygen binding to haemoglobin also increases. when the partial pressure is low, oxygen is realised from haemoglobin (likely into organisms which require the oxygen).
• What three factors affect the binding of oxygen and haemoglobin

  The partial pressure of oxygen, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, The saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen.
• what does the saturation of haemoglobin with oxygen mean? (deeper understanding)

  The saturation is the amount of oxygen-binding sites found within the haemoglobin. For example : When all four oxygen binding sites on haemoglobin are taken up with oxygen, the haemoglobin is considered fully saturated.
• Why do smaller mammals have a lower affinity between oxygen and haemoglobin?

  Smaller mammals have a larger surface area to volume ratio. Larger surface area to volume ratios cause there to be a lower affinity between oxygen and haemoglobin. Therefore more oxygen is dissociated. The smaller mammals have a high respiration rate. Respiration requires oxygen so haemoglobin releases more oxygen.
• Describe and explain the effect of increasing carbon dioxide concentration on the dissociation of oxyhaemoglobin


  Increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide leads to the production of hydrogen ions. These ions cause conformational change ; due to the shape change haemoglobin has a lower affinity with oxygen. This means more oxygen is released to respiring cells.
• What key words is used to describe when haemoglobin has more oxygen

  Haemoglobin is fully saturated , more oxygen is loaded at a higher potential pressure, more oxygen is dissociated when a higher carbon dioxide concentration forms.
• Describe and explain the effect of increasing carbon dioxide concentrations on the dissociation of oxyhaemoglobin.

  Haemoglobin's affinity is lowered by decreasing the blood ph (This is known as the Bohr affect). Increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide leads to confrontational change ; changing shape makes haemoglobin's affinity lower.