Oxygen Transport and Binding in Hemoglobin and Myoglobin

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to oxygen transport and binding in hemoglobin and myoglobin.

Lungs or Gills

Organs responsible for gas exchange, where CO2 is released and O2 is absorbed.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide back to the lungs.

Myoglobin

A heme-containing protein that stores oxygen in muscle tissues and facilitates oxygen transport to mitochondria.

Oxyhemoglobin

The form of hemoglobin that is bound to oxygen.

Deoxyhemoglobin

The form of hemoglobin that is not bound to oxygen.

Ligand Binding

The interaction of a small molecule or ion that binds to a larger molecule, such as a protein.

CO2 Transport

CO2 produced by tissues is carried back to the lungs or gills by hemoglobin or plasma as HCO3.

Cooperativity

The property of hemoglobin where the binding of one oxygen molecule increases the affinity for binding additional oxygen molecules.

Bohr Effect

The physiological phenomenon where increasing levels of CO2 and H+ reduce hemoglobin's affinity for O2.

BPG (Bisphosphoglycerate)

A molecule that binds to hemoglobin and stabilizes its T state, decreasing its affinity for O2.

Fractional Saturation (Y)

A quantitative measure of the saturation of a binding site, defined as the ratio of bound ligand to total binding sites.

Dissociation Constant (Kd)

A measure of the affinity of the ligand for the protein; a lower Kd indicates higher affinity.

T state (Taut State)

The low-affinity state of hemoglobin that favors the release of oxygen.

R state (Relaxed State)

The high-affinity state of hemoglobin that favors the binding of oxygen.

Allosteric Regulation

Regulation of a protein's activity by the binding of an effector molecule at a site other than the enzyme's active site.

Fetal Hemoglobin versus Adult Hemoglobin

Fetal hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen compared to adult hemoglobin, facilitating oxygen transfer from mother to fetus.

Sickle Cell Anemia

A genetic disorder caused by a mutation in hemoglobin that leads to distortion of red blood cells and blockage of blood vessels.

Alpha Thalassemia

A blood disorder caused by reduced production of alpha-globin chains, leading to ineffective erythropoiesis.

Beta Thalassemia

A blood disorder characterized by reduced production of beta-globin chains, resulting in anemia due to insoluble aggregates.