dissociation curve

(noun)

The oxygen–hemoglobin dissociation curve plots the proportion of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen on the vertical axis against the partial pressure of oxygen on the horizontal axis. 

Related Terms

  • hemoglobin
  • binding capacity
  • acidity

Examples of dissociation curve in the following topics:

  • Oxygen Transport

    • The lower areas of the curve show saturation when oxygen is unloaded into the tissues.
    • The oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve can shift in response to a variety of factors.
    • A change in the P50 of the curve is a sign that the dissociation curve as a whole has shifted.
    • The oxygen–hemoglobin dissociation curve plots the percent hemoglobin saturation (y-axis) against the partial pressure of oxygen in the blood (PO2).
    • The blue curve is standard curve, while the red and green curves are right and leftward shifts respectively.
  • RBC Physiology

    • As a result, the oxygen-binding curve of hemoglobin (also called the oxygen saturation or dissociation curve) is sigmoidal, or S-shaped, as opposed to the normal hyperbolic curve associated with noncooperative binding.
    • This curve shows the saturation of oxygen bound to hemoglobin compared to the partial pressure of oxygen (concentration) in blood.
    • That's because most carbon dioxide travels through the blood as a bicarbonate ion, which is the dissociated form of carbonic acid in solution.
    • This dissociates in solution into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, the driving force of pH in the blood.
    • A reduction in the total binding capacity of hemoglobin to oxygen (i.e. shifting the curve down, not just to the right) due to reduced pH is called the Haldane effect.
  • Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

    • The rate of dissociation between carbon monoxide and cytochrome oxidase is slow, causing a relatively prolonged impairment of oxidative metabolism.
    • Influence of partial pressure of oxygen on the dissociation of oxygen from hemoglobin at 37 degrees Celsius.
  • General Characteristics of the Spine

    • The cervical curve covers the region between vertebrae C1 and T2, it is the least marked of all the spinal curves.
    • The thoracic curve covers the region between vertebrae T2 and T12.
    • The sacral curve begins at the sacrovertebral articulation, and ends at the point of the coccyx.
    • The thoracic and sacral curves are termed primary curves because they alone are present during fetal life.
    • The cervical and lumbar curves are secondary curves that are developed after birth; the former when the child is able to maintain an upright posture, the latter when the child begins to walk.
  • The Spine

    • The cervical curve convexes forward and begins at the apex of the odontoid (tooth-like) process.
    • This curve is described as a lordotic curve.
    • The thoracic and sacral curvatures are termed primary curves because they are present in the fetus and remain the same in the adult.
    • As the child grows, lifts the head, and begins to assume an upright position, the secondary curves (cervical and lumbar) develop.
    • The lumbar curve forms between twelve to eighteen months when the child begins to walk.
  • Thoracic Cage: Ribs

    • The ribs are long, curved bones that protect the lungs, heart, and other organs of the thoracic cavity.
    • Ribs are long, curved bones that form the rib cage surrounding the thorax.
    • Finally, the shaft forms the majority of the length of the rib as it curves around the thoracic cavity forming the rib cage.
    • Rib 1 is the shortest and most curved of the ribs.
    • The first thoracic vertebra has a rib attached to it that curves across to the sternum.
  • Amnesia

    • Dissociative amnesia results from a psychological cause as opposed to direct damage to the brain caused by head injury, physical trauma or disease, which is known as organic amnesia.
    • Dissociative amnesia can include the following:
    • Dissociative Fugue, also known as fugue state, is caused by psychological trauma and is usually temporary, unresolved, and may therefore return.
  • Alkalosis

    • Compensatory mechanisms for this would include increased dissociation of the carbonic acid buffering intermediate into hydrogen ions, and the related excretion of bicarbonate, both of which lower blood pH.
  • Clavicle Fracture

    • The clavicle forms a slight S-shaped curve where it curves from the sternal end laterally and anteriorly for near half its length, then forming a posterior curve to the acromion of the scapula.
  • Direct Gene Activation and the Second-Messenger System

    • Hormone binding to the nuclear receptor results in dissociation of the co-repressor and the recruitment of co-activator proteins.
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