Artificial Blood And Hearts

Question 1

What happens to oxyhaemoglobin in low concentrations of O2?

Answer 1

It easily reverts back to oxygen and haemoglobin

Question 2

Why do we need artificial blood?

Answer 2

Lack of donors

Compatibility issues

Risk of infection

Question 3

What are some advantages of artificial blood?

Answer 3

> no longer reliant on donors

> universal so no need to check blood type (especially for emergency transfusions)

> does not degrade in quality + no shelf life

Question 4

How does saline solution as an artificial blood work?

Answer 4

It suspends the remaining red blood cells and allows them to be pumped around the body. Meanwhile the patient can make new ones.

Question 5

What is the main advantage of an artificial heart over a transplant?

Answer 5

> it is not rejected by the body’s immune system

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of artificial hearts?

Answer 6

> the surgery can cause bleeding and infection

> it does not work as well as a natural heart

> the patient has to take drugs to thin the heart which can be problematic when injured and generally affects their quality of life.

Question 7

What is a stent?

Answer 7

A tube inserted into the arteries to keep them open and keep blood flowing through- allowing the heart to continue beating and keeping patient alive

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of stents?

Answer 8

> The artery can narrow again over time

> the patient must take anti-clot drugs

> irritates the artery, causing scar tissue

Question 9

What happens to haemoglobin in high concentrations of O2?

Answer 9

It bonds with the oxygen to form Oxyhaemoglobin

Question 10

How do stents prevent heart attacks?

Answer 10

> they widen the coronary arteries

> allowing blood to flow to supply the heart with glucose and oxygen