Problems in Oxygen Transport Flashcards
(8 cards)
What are the factors that can impair the efficiency of the transport of oxygen around the body?
- Carbon monoxide
- High altitude
Blood oxygen content is increased by which oxygen carrier molecule?
Hemoglobin
What are the symptoms of altitude sickness?
They frequently begin with an increase in the rate and depth of breathing, and a general feeling of dizziness and weakness. These symptoms can be easily reversed when going down to a lower altitude.
What happens when fumes containing carbon monoxide are inhaled?
The carbon monoxide readily diffuses across the walls of the alveoli, into blood, and into red blood cells. Here, it combines with the haem groups in the hemoglobin molecules, forming carboxyhemoglobin.
What are the changes made when a body gradually acclimatizes to a high altitude?
- Red blood cells will increase (though this takes time to happen)
What are the treatments for carbon monoxide poisoning?
It involves the administration of a mixture of pure oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Why are oxygen and carbon dioxide being used to treat carbon monoxide poisoning?
The high concentrations of oxygen are to favor the combination of hemoglobin with oxygen rather than carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide is to stimulate the increase in the breathing rate.
How do people living permanently at high altitudes adapt to the low-oxygen environment?
They have broad chests that help provide larger lung capacities. the heart is often larger, especially on the right side, which pumps blood to the lungs. They also have more hemoglobin in their blood to increase the efficiency of oxygen transport from lungs to tissues.
