Biomaterial Database

The effect of carbon monoxide on haem-facilitated oxygen diffusion. 1977

N F Britton, and J D Murray

The aim of this paper is to quantify the effect of small quantities of carbon monoxide on the facilitated diffusion of oxygen by haemoglobin in the steady state. It is the first phase in the study of a mathematical model for carbon monoxide poisoning. Here we extend the Wyman model for facilitated diffusion to the case in which there are two ligands. The equations are solved using an asymptotic technique developed by Murray. We obtain accurate analytic approximations for the biologically important quantities of the problem for various percentages of carbon monoxide. These are the concentrations of free oxygen, haemoglobin, oxyhaemoglobin and carboxyhaemoglobin, and hence the saturation of the protein and the facilitated oxygen flux. The major effect of very small quantities of carbon monoxide on the oxygen flux is shown.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007700	Kinetics	The rate dynamics in chemical or physical systems.
D008566	Membranes	Thin layers of tissue which cover parts of the body, separate adjacent cavities, or connect adjacent structures.	Membrane Tissue,Membrane,Membrane Tissues,Tissue, Membrane,Tissues, Membrane
D008954	Models, Biological	Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment.	Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D010100	Oxygen	An element with atomic symbol O, atomic number 8, and atomic weight [15.99903; 15.99977]. It is the most abundant element on earth and essential for respiration.	Dioxygen,Oxygen-16,Oxygen 16
D010108	Oxyhemoglobins	A compound formed by the combination of hemoglobin and oxygen. It is a complex in which the oxygen is bound directly to the iron without causing a change from the ferrous to the ferric state.	Oxycobalt Hemoglobin,Oxycobalthemoglobin,Oxyhemoglobin,Hemoglobin, Oxycobalt
D002248	Carbon Monoxide	Carbon monoxide (CO). A poisonous colorless, odorless, tasteless gas. It combines with hemoglobin to form carboxyhemoglobin, which has no oxygen carrying capacity. The resultant oxygen deprivation causes headache, dizziness, decreased pulse and respiratory rates, unconsciousness, and death. (From Merck Index, 11th ed)	Monoxide, Carbon
D002263	Carboxyhemoglobin		Carbomonoxyhemoglobin,Carbonmonoxyhemoglobin,Carbonylhemoglobin,Carboxyhemoglobin A,Carboxyhemoglobin C
D004058	Diffusion	The tendency of a gas or solute to pass from a point of higher pressure or concentration to a point of lower pressure or concentration and to distribute itself throughout the available space. Diffusion, especially FACILITATED DIFFUSION, is a major mechanism of BIOLOGICAL TRANSPORT.	Diffusions
D006454	Hemoglobins	The oxygen-carrying proteins of ERYTHROCYTES. They are found in all vertebrates and some invertebrates. The number of globin subunits in the hemoglobin quaternary structure differs between species. Structures range from monomeric to a variety of multimeric arrangements.	Eryhem,Ferrous Hemoglobin,Hemoglobin,Hemoglobin, Ferrous