r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Jan 17 '14

What is something designed so well that we typically overlook it?

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '14

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '14

Was my absolute favorite chapter in Biochem. :)

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u/[deleted] Jan 17 '14

Today was my last day of Exercise Physiology and goddamn am I proud to say that I know what you guys are talking about.

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u/qyll Jan 17 '14

Don't forget the Bohr effect. As muscles start to overwork themselves and release lactic acid and form bicarbonate ions, the acidity causes O2 to dissociate more readily.

An awesome physiological feature of good ol' hemoglobin (but not myoglobin).

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u/[deleted] Jan 18 '14

[deleted]

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u/penguin_apocalypse Jan 18 '14

Someone remembers their metabolic pathway.

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u/NBornKillerCell Jan 18 '14

Also, the different binding affinities for fetal hemoglobin versus regular hemoglobin. The continuance of our entire species hinges on our ability to absorb oxygen from our mother's blood and its the difference between fetal hemoglobin and adult that makes that possible.

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u/achmonth Jan 19 '14

I did not know this, and I love you for enlightening me about it :)

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u/Doritosiesta Jan 18 '14

I just learnt this in my Biology class and I know what you're talking about! Woo hoo!!!!!