Gas Exchange and Transport Notes

A series of question and answer flashcards covering key concepts related to gas exchange and transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

What are the key factors that affect gas exchange at the lungs and tissues?

Partial pressure gradients, surface area, and diffusion distance.

What is the reversible chemical equation for oxygen binding to hemoglobin?

Hb + O2 ⇌ HbO2

What happens to hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen when the partial pressure of oxygen decreases?

Hemoglobin releases oxygen more readily.

What is Henry’s Law in relation to gas solubility?

The amount of gas that can dissolve in liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas.

What are the two main methods of oxygen transport in the blood?

Bound to hemoglobin (more than 98%) and dissolved in plasma (less than 2%).

What effect does lower pH have on hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen?

Lower pH decreases hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, promoting oxygen unloading.

How does temperature affect oxygen release from hemoglobin?

Increased temperature leads to more oxygen release from hemoglobin.

What is the Bohr Effect?

The phenomenon where increased H+ concentration (lower pH) promotes oxygen unloading from hemoglobin.

What is the significance of 2,3-BPG in oxygen unloading?

2,3-BPG decreases hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, enhancing oxygen unloading, especially in low O2 conditions.

Describe the oxygen-hemoglobin saturation curve.

It illustrates how hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen changes with varying partial pressures of oxygen.