Pulmonary blood flow, gas exchange & transport

Question 1

what is the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve?

Answer 1

a graph that relates oxygen saturation and partial pressure of oxygen in the blood

Question 2

what is the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve determined by?

Answer 2

the haemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen

Question 3

what is the haemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen?

Answer 3

how readily haemoglobin acquires and releases oxygen molecules from its surrounding tissue

Question 4

when does haemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen increase?

Answer 4

as successive molecules of oxygen bind

Question 5

what factors affect the strength with which oxygen binds to haemoglobin?

Answer 5

several factors, including temperature

Question 6

an increase in temperature shifts the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve in what direction?

Answer 6

rightward

Question 7

a decrease in temperature shifts the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve in what direction?

Answer 7

to the left

Question 8

what does a rightward shift of the oxyhaemoglobin dislocation curve indicate?

Answer 8

a rightward shift indicates that the haemoglobin under study has decreased affinity for oxygen

Question 9

define gas exchange

Answer 9

the diffusion of gases from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, especially the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between an organism and its environment

Question 10

where does gas exchange occur?

Answer 10

it occurs in the lungs between the alveoli and a network of tiny blood vessels called capillaries, which are located in the walls of the alveoli