The Mermaid and the Globins
Hemoglobin Function and Regulation
Author(s)
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Heidelberg University
nberes@heidelberg.edu
Abstract
The function and regulation of hemoglobin is often difficult for students to understand. This directed case study is an attempt to make the topic more approachable by relating the story of “Joanna” and “Alex,” two students who visit their local aquarium to watch a sea lion show featuring a skin diver costumed as a mermaid. Impressed by the fact that sea lions and skin divers can hold their breath so long, Joanna and Alex engage in conversations with the mermaid, an aquarium trainer and their teaching assistant to learn about the function of myoglobin and hemoglobin as well as the regulation of hemoglobin. They also learn about allosteric modifiers of hemoglobin. This activity was developed for a general or advanced undergraduate biochemistry course, but it could easily be adapted for use in a human physiology or comparative physiology course. Prior to running the case in class it would be useful, although not necessary, for students to have some knowledge of protein function, basic chemistry (including equilibrium and pH), and hemoglobin.
Objectives
- Outline the function of myoglobin and hemoglobin in the human body.
- Discuss some challenges/benefits of free-diving involving oxygen regulation.
- Describe how the conformations of hemoglobin impact oxygen affinity.
- Describe how H+, CO2, and 2,3-BPG affect the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin.
- Provide a basic explanation of cooperative binding.
Keywords
Hemoglobin; myoglobin; oxygen; binding-curve; cooperative binding; fractional saturation; allosteric regulators; 2,3-BPG; skin divers; mermaids; sea lions; holding breathTopical Areas
N/AEducational Level
Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper divisionFormat
PDFType / Methods
DirectedLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Biochemistry | Physiology |
Date Posted
10/11/2018Teaching Notes
Case teaching notes are password-protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, begin the process by registering.
Teaching notes are intended to help teachers select and adopt a case. They typically include a summary of the case, teaching objectives, information about the intended audience, details about how the case may be taught, and a list of references and resources.
Answer Key
Answer keys for the cases in our collection are password-protected and access to them is limited to paid subscribed instructors. To become a paid subscriber, begin the process by registering.