In: Biology
Haemoglobin is an amazing molecule, as it allows vertebrates to transport gases from the environment to the tissues. To boot, blood changes its oxygen-binding characteristics in response to the animal’s external AND internal environment. How does this happen? What are the advantages of this “shape-shifting” ability? How does O2 affinity of Hb compare between mammals adapted to hypoxia and those in normoxia? How does it compare between sedentary and athletic species? Explain why. Some Antarctic fish lack haemoglobin completely. Their blood is composed of plasma and a few white blood cells. How are these fishes able to survive and succeed in their environment? Explain.