Objectives for today: describe and explain the significance of the dissociation curves of adult oxyhaemoglobin at different carbon

n dioxide levels (the Bohr effect). explain the significance of the different affinities of foetal haemoglobin and adult haemoglobin for oxygen.

Syllabus: 1.2.2 m & n

Homework: continue with revision for your January exams. Now:

Why does haemaglobin load lots of O2 at the lungs but release it so easily at the tissues? 100% % saturation of haemaglobin Plateau: Haemaglobin has a high affinity for O2 so is highly saturated and therefore loads up with O2 in the lungs.

Steep slope: A small drop in the amount of O2 means the haemaglobin has a much lower affinity for O2

The haemaglobin is less saturated with oxygen so gives it up to the tissues more easily.

partial pressure of O2 (mmHg)

CO2 is carried by your blood in three ways: 5% carried in solution in the plasma as CO2 10% combines with the haemoglobin to form carbamino-haemoglobin 85% is carried in red blood cells as hydrogen carbonate: HCO3-

Formation of hydrogen carbonate CO2 diffuses from tissues into red blood cells. The RBCs contain an enzyme called carbonic anhydrase which catalyses the reaction between CO2 and water to form carbonic acid: CO2 + H2O H2CO3 Carbonic acid dissociates into negatively charged hydrogen carbonate & positively charged hydrogen ions: H2CO3 H+ + HCO3 The hydrogen ions (H+) lower the pH of the blood / make it more acidic and combine with haemoglobin to give haemoglobinic acid. This decreases the affinity of haemoglobin to oxygen so it gives it up to the tissues (the Bohr effect)

Bohr effect the effect of CO2 on haemaglobin Lower CO2 e.g. in lungs curve shift to the left haemaglobin has a higher affinity for O2 % saturation of haemaglobin

Higher CO2 e.g. tissues curve shift to the right haemaglobin has a lower affinity for O2

partial pressure of O2 (mmHg)

Formation of hydrogen carbonate

The build up of hydrogen carbonate ions causes them to diffuse out of the RBC leaving the inside of the RBC positively charged. In order to balance this electric charge, chloride ions diffuse into the RBCs from the plasma this is known as the chloride shift. At the lungs, all these reactions are reversed:
The hydrogen carbonate and hydrogen ions recombine releasing CO2.

The chloride shift is reversed.

Carbamino-haemoglobin breaks down to release haemaglobin and CO2.

Oxygen dissociation curve: Foetal vs. Maternal

Foetal haemaglobin curve shift to the left higher affinity for O2 % saturation of haemoglobin

Maternal haemaglobin curve shift to the right lower affinity for O2 gives up O2 to foetal haemaglobin at placenta

partial pressure of O2 (mmHg)

And now: 1. Read p.64-67 in the purple text books and p.82-84 in the green books. 2. Try the exam Qs. Check your answers carefully against the mark scheme have you used the same key words and phrases? Ask me to check what you have written. Extension: Try the Qs on p.65 & 67 of the purple books. Answers on p.239.