How are red blood cells adapted?
Reveal answer
Haemoglobin + no nucleus + biconcave shape → carry lots of O₂ and diffuse it fast.
Key words: haemoglobin · biconcave
3(h) TRANSPORT · RECALL
3.11 Red blood cells and oxygen transport
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What forms when haemoglobin combines with oxygen?
Reveal answer
Oxyhaemoglobin.
Key words: oxyhaemoglobin
Which mineral is needed to make haemoglobin?
Reveal answer
Iron.
Key words: iron
Why is carbon monoxide poisonous?
Reveal answer
Binds haemoglobin permanently → less O₂ carried → less respiration.
Key words: haemoglobin
What is meant by the term biconcave?
Reveal answer
Curved inward on both faces.
Key words: biconcave
What is meant by the term haemoglobin?
Reveal answer
Iron-containing protein that binds oxygen reversibly.
Key words: haemoglobin
What is meant by the term oxyhaemoglobin?
Reveal answer
Haemoglobin with oxygen bound.
Key words: oxyhaemoglobin
Adaptation to consequence: for Biconcave shape, give the immediate effect and the transport benefit.
Reveal answer
Immediate effect: High area and thin centre. Transport benefit: Rapid oxygen diffusion.
Key words: Biconcave shape
Adaptation to consequence: for No nucleus, give the immediate effect and the transport benefit.
Reveal answer
Immediate effect: More internal space. Transport benefit: More haemoglobin.
Key words: No nucleus
Adaptation to consequence: for Haemoglobin, give the immediate effect and the transport benefit.
Reveal answer
Immediate effect: Reversibly binds oxygen. Transport benefit: Loads in lungs, unloads in tissues.
Key words: Haemoglobin
Adaptation to consequence: for Flexible membrane, give the immediate effect and the transport benefit.
Reveal answer
Immediate effect: Cell deforms. Transport benefit: Passes through narrow capillaries.
Key words: Flexible membrane
Adaptation to consequence: for No mitochondria, give the immediate effect and the transport benefit.
Reveal answer
Immediate effect: No aerobic oxygen use. Transport benefit: Preserves carried oxygen.
Key words: No mitochondria
True or false, and why? “Red cells have no cell membrane.”
Reveal answer
False. They have a flexible membrane but no nucleus.
True or false, and why? “Haemoglobin releases oxygen only when commanded.”
Reveal answer
False. Reversible binding responds to local conditions.
True or false, and why? “Red cells are hollow.”
Reveal answer
False. They contain concentrated haemoglobin in cytoplasm.