Bio 1500 quiz
1. If Hb has a high affinity for O2, it means that:: it will pick up O2 easily, but won't release it
easily
EX :Imagine Hb as a clingy friend who easily grabs onto O2 (like holding hands), but doesn't want to let go easily (like
not wanting to release hands).
2. If Hb has a low affinity for O2, it means that:: it will release O2 easily, but won't pick it up easily
EX:Imagine Hb as a delivery truck: if it has a low aflnity for O2, it's like a truck that easily drops off packages but struggles
to pick them up,
3. As a result of the sigmoidal shape of the O2-Hb dissociation curve, there is
very little change in Hb saturation across a range of PO2 values when PO2 is
high (e.g. between 80 and 100 mm Hg in the text book figures). According to the
reading, what is an advantage of the relatively flat shape of the curve here?: PO2
can fluctuate quite a bit in this range while still maintaining very high levels of O2 saturation in your hemoglobin
1/5
, EX: Think of the sigmoidal shape of the O2-Hb dissociation curve as a "safety net" for your body - even if the oxygen
levels in your blood fluctuate within a certain range, your hemoglobin will still remain highly saturated with oxygen.
4. As a result of the sigmoidal shape of the O2-Hb dissociation curve, there is
steep drop in Hb saturation across a small range of intermediate values for PO2
(e.g. between 20 and 35 mm Hg in the textbook figures). What is an advantage
of the steepness of the relationship between PO2 and Hb saturation in this
range?
Correct!: A small drop in PO2 in this range results in a big 'unloading' of oxygen from the hemoglobin
EX:Think of the O2-Hb dissociation curve as a roller coaster - a small drop in PO2 in the intermediate range causes a
big drop in Hb saturation, allowing oxygen to be released from hemoglobin easily.
5. According to the reading, when a person is at rest, the Hb only gives up
20-25% of its oxygen during one circuit through the body. This seems ineffi-
2/5
1. If Hb has a high affinity for O2, it means that:: it will pick up O2 easily, but won't release it
easily
EX :Imagine Hb as a clingy friend who easily grabs onto O2 (like holding hands), but doesn't want to let go easily (like
not wanting to release hands).
2. If Hb has a low affinity for O2, it means that:: it will release O2 easily, but won't pick it up easily
EX:Imagine Hb as a delivery truck: if it has a low aflnity for O2, it's like a truck that easily drops off packages but struggles
to pick them up,
3. As a result of the sigmoidal shape of the O2-Hb dissociation curve, there is
very little change in Hb saturation across a range of PO2 values when PO2 is
high (e.g. between 80 and 100 mm Hg in the text book figures). According to the
reading, what is an advantage of the relatively flat shape of the curve here?: PO2
can fluctuate quite a bit in this range while still maintaining very high levels of O2 saturation in your hemoglobin
1/5
, EX: Think of the sigmoidal shape of the O2-Hb dissociation curve as a "safety net" for your body - even if the oxygen
levels in your blood fluctuate within a certain range, your hemoglobin will still remain highly saturated with oxygen.
4. As a result of the sigmoidal shape of the O2-Hb dissociation curve, there is
steep drop in Hb saturation across a small range of intermediate values for PO2
(e.g. between 20 and 35 mm Hg in the textbook figures). What is an advantage
of the steepness of the relationship between PO2 and Hb saturation in this
range?
Correct!: A small drop in PO2 in this range results in a big 'unloading' of oxygen from the hemoglobin
EX:Think of the O2-Hb dissociation curve as a roller coaster - a small drop in PO2 in the intermediate range causes a
big drop in Hb saturation, allowing oxygen to be released from hemoglobin easily.
5. According to the reading, when a person is at rest, the Hb only gives up
20-25% of its oxygen during one circuit through the body. This seems ineffi-
2/5
