THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM - THE BLOOD - BLOOD AS A TRANSPORT MEDIUM

7 important questions on THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM - THE BLOOD - BLOOD AS A TRANSPORT MEDIUM

What are the 2 ways oxygen is transported in the blood?

  1. 98% travels as oxyhaemoglobin - oxygen-haemoglobin complex.
  2. Remaining 2% is dissolved in the plasma.

What are the 3 ways CO2 travels in the blood?

  1. 70% as hydrogencarbonate ions (HCO3-) in the plasma.
  2. 23% combined with haemoglobin as a carbamino compound.
  3. 7% in simple solution in the plasma.

What is the structure of heamoglobin?

Each molecule is made up of 4 globin sub-units consisting of a polypeptide chain and a prosthetic group (haem).

At the centre of each haem, there is an iron ion (Fe2+).
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

What happens after the first heam group combines with oxygen?

The Hb molecule alters its shape to expose the next haem group, thereby facilitating the loading of the second oxygen.

What does an oxygen-dissociation-curve graph show?

Hb becomes fully saturated (97-99%) with O2 at the concentrations found in the lungs, and releases a large portion (ar. 23%) of its O2 in the lower O2 concentrations that occur in the RTs.

What would happen if fetal Hb had the same affinity for O2 than that of the mother's Hb?

No transfer of O2 would be possible.

What is the Bohr effect, or Bohr shift?

The lowering of the affinity of Hb for O2 produced by CO2.

When CO2 concentration is higher, haemoglobin does not hold on to its O2 well, tending to give up O2 in areas of high CO2, e.g. the respiring tissues.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo