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ViviHemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that functions to transport oxygen throughout the body. It is composed of a heme group, which contains iron and binds with oxygen, and globin chains, which provide the structure for the heme groups. The interaction between heme and globin allows hemoglobin to efficiently transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.
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When hemoglobin is recycled what happens to the heme group?
Old or damaged RBCs are removed from the circulation by macrophages in the spleen and liver, and the hemoglobin they contain is broken down into heme and globin. The globin protein may be recycled, or broken down further to its constituent amino acids, which may be recycled or metabolized. The heme contains precious iron that is conserved and reused in the synthesis of new hemoglobin molecules. During its metabolism, heme is converted to bilirubin, a yellow pigment that can discolor the skin and sclera of the eye if it accumulates in the blood, a condition known as jaundice. Instead, the plasma protein albumin binds to bilirubin and carries it to the liver, where it is secreted in bile and also contributes to the color of feces.
What is red pigment of the red blood cells?
The red pigment in red blood cells is called hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein that contains iron and is responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body.
Is hemoglobin consider as globular protein and conjugated protein?
Yes, hemoglobin is considered a globular protein because of its compact, roughly spherical structure. It is also classified as a conjugated protein because it consists of a protein component (globin) and a non-protein prosthetic group (heme).
Do the hemoglobin breaks down into urea in the intestines?
No, hemoglobin does not break down into urea in the intestines. Hemoglobin is broken down by macrophages in the liver and spleen into heme and globin, which are further processed into bilirubin and amino acids, respectively. Urea is formed in the liver as a byproduct of protein metabolism and is excreted in the urine by the kidneys.
Which element is a major component of hemoglobin?
Haemoglobin is made up of a protein called globin which is bound to a red pigment called heme (hence the name haemoglobin) Globin is made up of 4 chains (polypeptide chains) embedded inside each of which is a heme molecule, the latter has an iron atom (in ferrous state) in it. It is the iron atom which carries a molecule of oxygen. As there are 4 chains this means that there are 4 iron atoms which means that 4 molecules of oxygen can be carried by each haemoglobin. Globulin
