Mindmap 7.1 HAEMOGLOBIN

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  • Chapter 7: Mass Transport: Haemoglobin
    • Protein molecules with a quaternary structure
      • The structure has evolved to make it efficient at loading oxygen under one set of conditions but unloading it under a different set of conditions
        • 1. Primary Structure: Sequence of amino acids in the 4 polypeptide chains
        • 2. Secondary structure: n which each of these polypeptide chains is coiled into a helix
        • 3. Tertiary Structure: in which each chain is folded into a precise shape - an important factor in its ability to carry oxygen
        • 4. Quarternary Structure: in which all 4 polypeptides are linked together to form an almost spherical molecule
          • Each polypeptide is associated with a haem group
            • A haem group contains (Fe2+) ion and one of these ions can combine with 4 O2 molecules that can be carried by a single haemoglobin molecule in humans
    • Loading and unloading oxygen
      • Loading: The process by which haemoglobin binds to oxygen. It is also known as associating. In humans it takes place in the lungs
      • Unloading: The process by which haemoglobin releases oxygen it is also known as disassociating. In humans it takes place in tissues.
    • Affinity
      • Haemoglobin with high affinity for oxygen take up oxygen more readily but release it less easily
      • Haemoglobin with low affinity for oxygen take up oxygen less easily but release it more readily.
    • The role of haemoglobin
      • To transport oxygen
        • To do this efficiently, haemoglobin must:
          • Readily associate with oxygen at the surface where gas exchange takes place
            • It is able to do both these as haemoglobin can change its affinity under different conditions
              • Readily dissociate oxygen at tissues requiring it.
              • It achieves this because its shape changes in the presence of certain substances such as CO2
                • In the presence of CO2 its affinity is lower
          • Readily dissociate oxygen at tissues requiring it.
    • Why are there different types of haemoglobins
      • Eac species produces a haemoglobin with a slightly different amino acid sequence
        • So they have a slightly different tertiary and quaternary structure
          • So have different oxygen binding properties

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