Name: Toni Thomas

Grade: 13 Science
Subject: Biology
Date: January 12, 2016

1. Describe the oxygen dissociation curve for adult haemoglobin.

Oxygen is carried in red blood cells bound to haemoglobin. The haemoglobin molecule consists
of four polypeptide chains with a haem group at the centre of each chain. Within each haem
group is an iron atom (Fe II) which can combine with one molecule of oxygen. Therefore, one
haemoglobin molecule can bind up to four oxygen to form oxyhaemoglobin.
Hb

4O2

HbO8

The reaction occurs under condition when oxygen concentration is high such as in the lung
alveolar capillaries. When the concentration of oxygen is low, as in the capillaries of
metabolically active tissues, oxygen is released as the bonds holding the oxygen to haemoglobin
lose stability. The release of oxygen from haemoglobin is termed dissociation. The amount of
oxygen that can combine with haemoglobin is determined by partial pressure. Partial pressure is
the pressure exerted by a single type of gas when it is found in a mixture of gases. The greater
the partial pressure of oxygen, the more haemoglobin becomes saturated with oxygen. The
degree to which the haemoglobin is saturated at different partial pressures can be measured using
an oxygen dissociation curve. It shows the relationship between the partial pressure of oxygen
and the percentage saturation of oxygen carrying molecules. At low oxygen levels percentage
saturation will be low while at high oxygen levels molecules will be fully saturated. Binding
potential increases with each additional oxygen molecule, thus haemoglobin displays a sigmoidal
(s-shaped) dissociation curve. Adult haemoglobin dissociation curve displays this curve.

The haemoglobins affinity for oxygen increases as successive molecules of oxygen bind. More
molecules bind as the oxygen partial pressure increases until the maximum amount that can be
bound is reached. As this limit is approached, very little additional binding occurs ad the curve
levels out as the haemoglobin becomes saturated with oxygen.

The further to the left the curve, the greater is the affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen so oxygen
is taken up readily. The further to the right the curve, the lower is the affinity of haemoglobin for
oxygen so oxygen is released readily.

2. Explain the significance of the effect of carbon dioxide on oxygen dissociation curve
(Bohr Effect).

Haemoglobin has a reduced affinity for oxygen in the presence of carbon dioxide. The greater
the concentration of carbon dioxide, the more readily the haemoglobin releases its oxygen
causing the oxygen dissociation curve to shift to the right. This is known as the Bohr Effect.

The effect of increased carbon dioxide is to allow oxygen to be readily released from
haemoglobin. Carbon dioxide is a product of respiration and the faster the respiration rate, the
faster its production. High levels of respiration are therefore associated with high partial
pressures of carbon dioxide. These are the conditions where oxygen is needed the most, thus it is
an advantage that the carbon dioxide makes the haemoglobin release oxygen. Carbon dioxide is
able to do this because when it dissolves it forms a weak acid (low pH) and this causes
haemoglobin to change shape.
H2O

H2CO3

CO2

H+

H2CO3

HCO-

The hydrogen ions released combine with haemoglobin thereby reducing its ability to carry
oxygen.