Haemoglobin

Created by: Khadidya
Created on: 18-02-18 11:47

Explain the bohr effect and the importance within mammals

At high carbon dioxide levels, Carbon dioxide diffuses into the red blood cells and reacts with water to form carbonic acid, using the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. The Carbonic acid dissociates to form H+ ions and hydrogen carbonate, in which the H+ lo

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Explain the structure of haemoglobin

Haemoglobin has a quaternary structure, it has 2 alpha chains and 2 beta chains. Each chain has a haem group attached which contains Fe2+ which can associate and carry one oxygen molecule. Therefore haemoglobin can carry 4 oxygen molecules.

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Explain what happens in the presence of high carbon dioxide levels

The shape of haemoglobin changes meaning that it more loosely binds with oxygen, therefore meaning that more oxygen is dissociated to respiring cells.

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Explain the shift to the left in the oxygen dissociation curve for a llama

Llamas live in high altitudes, therefore have limited amounts of oxygen. This causes a shift to the left in the oxygen dissociation curve as haemoglobin has a greater affinity to oxygen therefore haemoglobin associates more with oxygen in the lungs t

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Explain the shift to the right in the oxygen dissociation curve for the mouse

Mice have a larger surface area to volume ratio therefore lose more heat to surroundings and also have a higher metabolic rate. due to this there is a shift to the right in the oxygen dissociation curve to ensure that more oxygen is being dissociated

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Explain the oxygen dissociation curve for humans

At first, it is harder for the first oxygen molecule to bind with the haemoglobin due to the shape of haemoglobin meaning at low partial pressures, little oxygen is binding with haemoglobin. After the first oxygen binds, it becomes easier for the sec

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Chemical equations that take place in the Bohr effect

CO2 + H20 forms H2CO3 H2CO3 forms H+ HCO3

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How does oxygen bind to haemoglobin

Oxygen associates to hameoglobin, specifically the haem group which carries the oxygen. Haemoglobin readily associates with oxygen in the lungs at readily dissociates with haemoglobin in the respiring tissues

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Explain the structure of haemoglobin

Back

Card 3

Front

Explain what happens in the presence of high carbon dioxide levels

Back

Card 4

Front

Explain the shift to the left in the oxygen dissociation curve for a llama

Back

Card 5

Front

Explain the shift to the right in the oxygen dissociation curve for the mouse

Back

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Haemoglobin