8-10 Haemoglobin & Oxygen Dissociation Curve (Cambridge AS & A Level Biology, 9700)

What is hemoglobin classified as?

A globular protein and a quaternary protein made out of four polypeptide chains.

How many oxygen molecules can one hemoglobin bind to?

Four oxygen molecules, as one hemoglobin has four heme groups.

What element in the heme group binds to oxygen?

Iron.

What is oxyhemoglobin also known as?

HBO8.

What does hemoglobin do when it encounters high partial pressure of oxygen?

It readily binds to oxygen.

What happens to hemoglobin when it reaches an area of low partial pressure of oxygen?

It readily releases the oxygen.

What is the oxygen dissociation curve?

A graph showing the relationship between the percentage saturation of oxygen in hemoglobin and the partial pressure of oxygen.

At 20% oxygen saturation, what does that indicate about the hemoglobin?

It indicates that hemoglobin carries 20% of its maximum capacity of oxygen.

What is the percentage saturation of hemoglobin if it is fully loaded with oxygen?

100% saturation.

How does hemoglobin demonstrate duality in its function?

It has a high affinity for oxygen but also readily releases it when needed.

What are the two axes of the oxygen dissociation curve?

The y-axis is the percentage saturation of oxygen; the x-axis is the partial pressure of oxygen.

What does a partial pressure of oxygen represent?

The concentration of oxygen gas in a specific area.

If one red blood cell contains five hemoglobin molecules, how many oxygen molecules can it carry?

It can carry 20 oxygen molecules.

What effect does a low partial pressure of oxygen have on red blood cell saturation?

It results in low percentage saturation of oxygen.

What is the significance of the 60% and 90% oxygen release in the example of body cells with different oxygen needs?

It shows hemoglobin releases varying amounts of oxygen based on the specific need of the body cells.

In the context of the oxygen dissociation curve, what does 'dissociation' refer to?

The release of oxygen from hemoglobin.

What happens to the percentage saturation of a red blood cell when it diffuses into a high oxygen area?

The percentage saturation increases as oxygen is absorbed.

When is hemoglobin considered to be in a maximum saturation state?

When it reaches approximately 100% saturation.