Notes for B3.1.11—Adaptations of foetal and adult haemoglobin for the transport of oxygen (HL) - IB | RevisionDojo
B3.1.11—Adaptations of foetal and adult haemoglobin for the transport of oxygen (HL) Notes
Haemoglobin and Oxygen Transport: Cooperative Binding and Adaptations
Haemoglobin is the oxygen transport protein found in red blood cells.
Each molecule of haemoglobin has four subunits, each containing a haem group that can bind to one molecule of oxygen.
This means a single haemoglobin molecule can transport up to four oxygen molecules.
Structure of haemoglobin
Cooperative Binding in Haemoglobin
Cooperative binding means that when one oxygen molecule binds to a haem group, the haemoglobin undergoes conformational changes that increase its affinity for oxygen at the other haem groups.
Conversely, when one oxygen molecule dissociates, the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen decreases, making it easier for the remaining oxygen molecules to dissociate.
The haemoglobin molecule exists in two primary states:
R State: Fully oxygenated with all four oxygen molecules bound.
T State: Unsaturated with no oxygen bound.
Tip
Think of cooperative binding as a chain reaction.
Once haemoglobin starts binding oxygen, it gets progressively better at picking up more oxygen
Haemoglobin Saturation and Partial Pressure
The percentage saturation of haemoglobin depends on the partial pressure of oxygen (pO₂) in the surrounding environment.
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Questions
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Question 1
Recap question
Why is adult haemoglobin replaced by foetal haemoglobin during foetal development, despite the mother’s haemoglobin functioning normally outside the womb?
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Note
Haemoglobin and Oxygen Transport
Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to tissues and returns carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation.
It plays a vital role in maintaining cellular respiration by ensuring a continuous supply of oxygen to cells.
AnalogyThink of haemoglobin as a delivery truck that picks up oxygen packages in the lungs and drops them off at various tissue destinations before returning to pick up more packages.
DefinitionHaemoglobinA protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide between the lungs and tissues.
