Biology- oxygen transport

What are haemoglobins made of?

Haemoglobins are made from 4 polypeptide chains, giving them a quaternary structure.

Where are haemoglobins found in the body?

Haemoglobins are found in red blood cells.

What is formed when oxygen loads onto haemoglobin?

Oxyhemoglobin is formed when oxygen binds to haemoglobin.

Describe the co-operative nature of oxygen binding to haemoglobin.

When the first oxygen molecule binds, it causes a change in the shape of haemoglobin, making it easier for additional oxygen molecules to bind.

What does the term 'affinity of oxygen' refer to?

The affinity of oxygen refers to how readily haemoglobin loads with oxygen, which changes with varying oxygen concentrations in the body.

What happens to oxygen at the gas exchange surface?

At the gas exchange surface, the partial pressure of oxygen is high, allowing oxygen to diffuse from alveoli into red blood cells, where haemoglobin has a high affinity for oxygen.

What occurs to oxygen affinity at the tissues?

At the tissues, the partial pressure of oxygen is lower, leading to a lower affinity for oxygen, which results in oxygen unloading from haemoglobin.

In which region of the body is the partial pressure of oxygen high, resulting in loading of oxygen to haemoglobin?

In the lungs, the partial pressure of oxygen is high, resulting in haemoglobin loading oxygen.

In which region of the body does oxygen unload from haemoglobin?

In respiring tissues, the partial pressure of oxygen is low, leading to oxygen unloading from haemoglobin.

What is the first step in the co-operative binding of oxygen to haemoglobin?

The first step is the binding of the first oxygen molecule to haemoglobin.