Available online
Description
The physiological significance of haemoglobin in gas transport and exchange and how its molecular structure allows the molecule to 'breathe' are explained.
The physiological significance of haemoglobin in gas transport and exchange and how its molecular structure allows the molecule to 'breathe' are explained.
| Module code and title: | S322, Biochemistry and molecular biology |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S322; 01; 1978 |
| First transmission date: | 11-02-1978 |
| Published: | 1978 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:03 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Roger Jones |
| Contributors: | Max Perutz; Irene Ridge |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Exchange; Gas transport; Haemoglobin; Sickle cell disease; Structure and function |
| Footage description: | Max Perutz introduces the programme. Using a low resolution molecular model, he points out the structure of haemoglobin. Film of oxygenated and de-oxygenated blood inside tonometers. Irene Ridge (V/O) points out the colour changes which occur as blood becomes saturated with oxygen. Irene Ridge goes on to explain how a macromolecule is formed and points out the different levels of structure within the haemoglobin molecule. Ridge next discusses some of the techniques which have been used to work out the structure and function of haemoglobin. She concentrates particularly on optical absorbance methods and using an animated absorption spectrum, shows what sort of information can be obtained about the molecule. Max Perutz, with the aid of a graph showing absorption spectra of haemoglobin, discusses the physiological function of the molecule. He points out how the sigmoid curve on the graph accounts for CO2 uptake and transport from tissue to lung. Perutz goes on to recall the research pathway which led him, over a period of many years, to a formulation of an atomic model of the haemoglobin molecule. Shots of atomic models, optical micrographs, and X-ray diffraction patterns help illustrate his points. Using animated atomic models of haemoglobin, Perutz demonstrates the physiological processes, oxygen/CO2 uptake and transfer, which are made possible by the configuration of the molecule. Irene Ridge introduces the next sequence. Perutz goes on to demonstrate, using a high resolution atomic model of haemoglobin, an optical micrograph of red blood cells and diagrams, how a minute change in the chemistry of the haemoglobin molecule brings about the disease sickle all anaemia. Perutz briefly sums up the programme. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72678 |
| Production number: | 00525_1315 |
| Videofinder number: | 1007 |
| Available to public: | no |
