BIOS_255_week_7_Hemoglobin_and_Blood_Oxygen_Transport_Worksheet.docx.

DETERMINANTS OF BLOOD OXYGEN CONTENT Model 1: Oxygen Binding to a Single Hemoglobin Molecule Hemoglobin (Hb) is a large molecule consisting of four peptide chain subunits. Each peptide contains a heme group with an iron molecule at the core. Each heme subunit can reversibly bind one oxygen molecule and, interestingly, the bound/unbound state of each of the four hemes affect how easy it is for new oxygen to be bound and bound oxygen to be released. The number of oxygen molecules bound determine hemoglobin saturation, often expressed as 0 to 100%.. How many oxygen molecules are bound when a hemoglobin molecule is completely saturated? a) The hemoglobin molecule has four binding sites for oxygen molecules: the iron atoms in the four heme groups. • Four oxygen molecules are bonded with a hemoglobin that is comppletey saturated 2. How many oxygen molecules are bound when a hemoglobin molecule is 75% saturated? a) Three oxygen molecules are bonded with a hemoglobin molecule that is 75% saturated