Respiratory Structure

Question 1

• Small air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.
• Surrounded by capillaries, allowing oxygen to diffuse into the blood and carbon dioxide to diffuse out

Answer 1

Alveoli

Question 2

As the partial pressure of oxygen increases, haemoglobin binds oxygen more readily

Answer 2

Oxygen-Hemoglobin Dissociation Curve

Question 3

• A protein made of four subunits, each capable of binding one O2 molecule.
• Haemoglobin affinity for oxygen increases as more oxygen binds (cooperative binding).

Answer 3

Hemoglobin

Question 4

• A decrease in haemoglobin affinity for oxygen in the presence of increased CO2 concentration (lower pH).
• Helps release O2 in tissues with high metabolic activity.

Answer 4

Bohr Effect