Hemoglobin
Our body organs needs oxygen to work with. However, oxygen is non-polar. Haemoglobin is a protein in our red blood cell. The structure (although not the most accurate) shows that Haemoglobins contains Hames, Irons and Polypeptide chains.
The word ‘haem’ means molecules that contains iron. The word ‘globin’ means polymers with 4 (four) monomers. Since the structure looks like a sphere, scientists would refer it to as a ‘globular’ protein.
The structure we see above (Fig 1.1) there is a Quaternary structure. It is made from two polypeptide chains with an organic component. The first two polypeptide chain is made of 2 alpha chains that are each 141 amino acids long, and the other 2 polypeptide chains are made of 2 beta chains that are each 146 amino acids long.
The organic component is the prosthetic haem group. This haem group is actually one of the most vital organic material - it contains Fe2+. This Fe2+ allows oxygen molecules to bind.
A globular protein plays lots of different roles including enzymes, immunoglobulins and transport molecules.
Haemoglobins in particular, plays a roles as a transport molecules (transporting oxygen to our lungs and carrying carbon dioxide back from our lungs).
The structure we see above (Fig 1.1) there is a Quaternary structure. It is made from two polypeptide chains with an organic component. The first two polypeptide chain is made of 2 alpha chains that are each 141 amino acids long, and the other 2 polypeptide chains are made of 2 beta chains that are each 146 amino acids long.
The organic component is the prosthetic haem group. This haem group is actually one of the most vital organic material - it contains Fe2+. This Fe2+ allows oxygen molecules to bind.
A globular protein plays lots of different roles including enzymes, immunoglobulins and transport molecules.
Haemoglobins in particular, plays a roles as a transport molecules (transporting oxygen to our lungs and carrying carbon dioxide back from our lungs).
How it works
As mentioned earlier, our blood cells contains a protein called Globulin which is able to carry out oxygen. 97% of the oxygen we bring in to our lungs is carried by the haemoglobin.
The Iron in the Haemoglobin mentioned above is the key to how oxygen is able to be carried. There are 4 iron atoms in the molecule. Each atom binds with one molecule of oxygen. Then, the blood cells move from the lungs where the oxygen is rich to let the oxygen bind with iron, and then to the capillaries in our bodies where the Hemoglobin will release the oxygen molecules.
The iron what gives the red colour of our blood.
The Iron in the Haemoglobin mentioned above is the key to how oxygen is able to be carried. There are 4 iron atoms in the molecule. Each atom binds with one molecule of oxygen. Then, the blood cells move from the lungs where the oxygen is rich to let the oxygen bind with iron, and then to the capillaries in our bodies where the Hemoglobin will release the oxygen molecules.
The iron what gives the red colour of our blood.