Anaesthesia Fundamentals | Physiology | Function of Haemoglobin in Oxygen Carriage

Function of Haemoglobin in Oxygen Carriage
Session overview
Description
This session focusses on the function of haemoglobin in oxygen (O2) carriage from the lungs to other tissues where cells are supplied with the O2 required for oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria. We will cover the structure of normal haemoglobin, its abnormal forms and their significance.

Learning objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the structure of normal, and some abnormal, forms of haemoglobin
• Describe the molecular basis of how haemoglobin binds oxygen, and the various factors that influence this binding
• List the features of the oxy-haemoglobin dissociation curve and the factors affecting P50
• Describe the various forms of abnormal haemoglobin and their physiological and clinical consequences
• Explain the challenges faced in developing a useful artificial form of haemoglobin

Haemoglobin (Hb) is essential if the blood is to carry the large amounts of oxygen required for mammalian metabolism.

Its molecular mechanism for oxygen binding has been covered extensively, making it one of the most well-understood proteins in biology.