As Level Question- Please Read

11

Shortly after birth fetal haemoglobin is broken down and replaced by adult haemoglobin. Why is fetal haemoglobin unsuitable for use after birth?

thanks in advance.

Reply 1

hafnium

The Disesase (hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin) has few symptons. I guess the main problem is for mothers.

It will be harder for their babies to get oxygen through placenta since Oxygen affinity of both fetus and mother haemoglobin is the same.

Reply 2

theartyard

OP

11

hafnium

The Disesase (hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin) has few symptons. I guess the main problem is for mothers.

It will be harder for their babies to get oxygen through placenta since Oxygen affinity of both fetus and mother haemoglobin is the same.

oh right, so its like a long term problem in the future?

Reply 3

hafnium

I checked several sources and they all said the usually the disease has no symptons at all...

The mother-fetus problem is the only one problem that I can think of...
so yes, long term problem..

Reply 4

theartyard

OP

11

hafnium

I checked several sources and they all said the usually the disease has no symptons at all...

The mother-fetus problem is the only one problem that I can think of...
so yes, long term problem..

okiedokes thanks very much !! x

Reply 5

alispam

12

hafnium

It will be harder for their babies to get oxygen through placenta since Oxygen affinity of both fetus and mother haemoglobin is the same.

?? You mean when the baby eventually became a mother O2 transfer through the placenta wouldnt be efficient?? Im not sure thats the answer they're looking for...The affinity for oxygen is different for fetal and adult haemoglobin due to the differing subunit composition (one has a betal and one a gamma subunit, cant remember which way round it is). Hence oxygen can be passed from the mother's haemoglobin to the foetus as the fetal Hb has a higher affinity than the normal Hb.

If the fetal Hb was nor replaced after birth the child would have Hb with a higher than normal affinity for oxygen. This would cause problems with supply of O2 to cells as oxygen would transfer from the haem to the cell much slower due to a higher binding affinity to Hb. Hence they would have a poor supply of O2 to cells, leading to probs with respiration rates etc.

Reply 6

HannahUVM

11

alispam

If the fetal Hb was nor replaced after birth the child would have Hb with a higher than normal affinity for oxygen. This would cause problems with supply of O2 to cells as oxygen would transfer from the haem to the cell much slower due to a higher binding affinity to Hb. Hence they would have a poor supply of O2 to cells, leading to probs with respiration rates etc.

^^ this is correct.
the oxygen dissociation curve is shifted to the left for fetal haemoglobin. at low concentrations of oxygen it will release less than adult haemoglobin will.
fetal Hb has gamma chains not beta chains.

Reply 7

hafnium

i think they are right
the effect of having fetal haemoglobin isnt that great but i think that was what the markers were looking for

really sorry...

Reply 8

Mimicares

1

Thanks that was helpful

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