Transportation of oxygen
- Created by: z_mills1
- Created on: 05-06-14 15:59
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- Transportation of oxygen
- oxygen is carried in a chemical combination with the red pigmentation haemoglobin
- haemoglobin is found in red blood cells, and each haemoglobin molecule is able to carry a max of 4 molecules of oxygen
- the amount of oxygen combining with haemoglobin depends on the partial pressure of blood (PO2)
- when all the haemoglobin is combined with oxygen (oxyhaemoglobin) the haemoglobin is said to be fully saturated (100%) with oxygen
- occurring where the oxygen concentration in surrounding tissues is high
- around 98% of the blood leaving the lungs is saturated with haemoglobin
- at muscle tissues, the 100% saturated haemoglobin gives up its oxygen to the surrounding muscles - reducing its saturation to below 75%
- when returning to the lungs, the haemoglobin increases in saturation again as more oxygen is picked up
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