the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve Flashcards
(10 cards)
What is the affinity for oxygen like in the lungs?
High
What does this mean for the loading of oxygen?
It loads quickly
What is the partial pressure like in the lungs?
High
What is the affinity for oxygen like in tissues?
Low
What does this mean for the loading of oxygen?
It unloads quickly
What is the partial pressure like in the tissues?
Low
What does the dissociation curve show?
The relationship between the concentration of oxygen carried by haemoglobin and the partial pressure of oxygen
What is the shape of this graph?
S shape/ sigmoid
Why does the graph have this shape?
A molecule of oxygen bonds to one of the haem units, causing a change in tertiary structure for the other haem units, which increases their affinity for oxygen.
What is this process known as?
Cooperative binding
