what is Hb and how does it make blood red?
Association definition?
the binding of 2 molecules, commonly used in biology when referring to the loading of O2 onto Hb
why can Hb transport O2?
bc this reaction is reversible - dissociation can also occur
Dissociation definition?
The separation of 2 molecules, commonly used in bio when referring to the unloading of O2 from Hb
what is Hb made up of?
what is a saturated Hb?
all haem groups bond - 4 O2
what can the partial pressure of O2 tell us?
how much is bound to the Hb compared to how much there is
O2 dissociation curve - steep part?
why must Foetal Hb have a higher affinity for O2 than adult?
animals that have a high altitude have a ? affinity for O2?
where does CO2 bind to Hb?
NOT Haem group, but to amino groups of Hb, hence carbAMINOhaemoglobin
The Chloride Shift definition?
the movement of Cl(^-) into the erythrocytes to balance the charge as HCO3 (^-) leaves the cell
if Hb didn’t act as a buffer, what could the H+ ions do?
denature proteins
why does atrial systole only generate a small increase in pressure?
the atria only have thin walls
why does the pressure in arteries go up and down? (paper flashcard graph)
why does the blood pressure drop to almost 0 in the capillary beds?
as lots of capillaries = high overall friction
why is cardiac muscle known as myogenic?
can beat w/o signals from the brain - can inititate its own contractions
what can lead to fibrillation?
what is fibrillation?
the uncoordinated contraction of the muscles in the heart
what is the danger of a fibrillating heart pump?
What does the heart do to avoid fibrillation?
co-ordinate its contractions using 3 types of tissue: AVN, SAN, purkyne fibres
what is the SAN ?
A small patch of tissue that generates electrical impulses 55 -80 (heart rate) x a min
AVN?
what does the AVN delaying the impulse allow?
- allows time for V to fill