3.4 Mass Transport in Animals Flashcards
What is meant by haemoglobin having a quaternary structure?
Multiple polypeptide chains
How many polypeptide chains are found in haemoglobin?
Four
What does each chain of haemoglobin have associated?
Haem group with Fe
What is meant by loading/associating?
When oxygen binds to haem groups
What is meant by unloading/dissociation?
When oxygen unbinds from haem groups
What is meant by the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen?
How readily haemoglobin will bind with oxygen
What is meant by the saturation of haemoglobin?
How many binding sites are occupied by oxygen
Why is the dissociation curve of haemoglobin S shaped?
First oxygen binding changes tertiary structure of haemoglobin
Cooperative bonding
How does increased respiration effect the dissocation curve of haemoglobin?
Shifts to right
More carbon dioxide produced reduces blood pH
Reduces the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen