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Date November 2018 Marks available 2 Reference code 18N.3.hl.TZ0.11
Level HL Paper 3 Time zone TZ0
Command term Explain Question number 11 Adapted from N/A

Question

The transport of oxygen around the body is essential for life.

A graph showing saturation of oxygen against partial pressure of oxygen is shown.

Explain the shape of the graph from 0 to 50 % saturation.

[2]
a.

Explain why carbon monoxide is very toxic and how it may be possible to treat carbon monoxide poisoning.

[2]
b.

Markscheme

binding of oxygen/O2 «to one active site» affects shape of Hb/other active sites

OR

binding of one oxygen/O2 «molecule» affects binding of other oxygen/O2 «molecules» ✔

 

increasing affinity of Hb to oxygen/O2

OR

enhanced binding of «further» oxygen/O2 «molecules»

OR

cooperative binding ✔

a.

Toxicity:

carboxyhemoglobin/Hb–CO does not readily dissociate

OR

CO + Hb Hb–CO AND forward reaction favoured

OR

affinity of carbon monoxide/CO for hemoglobin is «200 times/much» higher than that of oxygen/O2

OR

competitive inhibitor of oxygen/O2 binding ✔

 

Treatment:

moving patient to fresh air

OR

«in severe cases» inhaling pure oxygen/O2

OR

high pressure oxygen/O2 chamber ✔

 

Accept “move away from carbon monoxide/CO source” OR “remove carbon monoxide/CO source”.

b.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.

Syllabus sections

Options » B: Biochemistry » B.9 Biological pigments (HL only)
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