The Bohr Effect

Question 1

What is the Bohr Effect?

Answer 1

At higher partial pressures of carbon dioxide Haemoglobin gives up oxygen more easily

Question 2

What is the partial pressure of carbon dioxide at the lungs?

Answer 2

3KPa

Question 3

What is the partial pressure of carbon dioxide at the muscles?

Answer 3

6KPa

Question 4

Word equation for the formation of hydrogen carbonate ions

Answer 4

Carbon dioxide + water = carbonic acid = hydrogen ions + hydrogen carbonate ions

Question 5

Importance of carbonic anhydrase

Answer 5

Catalyses the reaction between carbon dioxide and water to form carbonic acid

Question 6

What happens to the hydrogen ions in the red blood cells?

Answer 6

They bind to haemoglobin to form haemoglobinic acid, preventing the hydrogen ions from lowering the pH

Question 7

What is the chloride shift?

Answer 7

Negative hydrogen carbonate ions move out of red blood cells. to prevent an electrical imbalance chlorine ions are transported into red blood cells

Question 8

What would happen without the chloride shift?

Answer 8

Red blood cells would become positively charged as a result of hydrogen ions building up

Question 9

Carbon dioxide helps haemoglobin to release oxygen to rapidly respiring tissues. Explain how

Answer 9

Lowers affinity