Different organisms have different types of haemoglobin with different oxygen transporting capacities
Organisms in an environment with a low concentration of oxygen (eg. mountain goat) have haemoglobin with a higher affinity for oxygen. Their dissociation curve moves to the left of ours so can more readily load oxygen
Organisms in an enivronment with a high concentration of oxygen and are very active have a high demand for oxygen so have a lower affinity for oxygen. Their dissociation curve moves to the right of ours so can readily unload oxygen
Another factor which affects the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen is:
- Size - A samller mammal loses heat at a faster rate so has a faster motabolism. This requires an increased amount of oxygen so their dissociation curve moves to the right so they unload oxygen more readily
- Activity - Swimming or flying require a lot of respiration in muscles so they require more oxygen. Their dissociation curve moves to the right so they unload oxygen more readily at respiring tissues
Comments
No comments have yet been made