Answer to Question #125783 in Inorganic Chemistry for billy

Question

The haemoglobin molecule is designed to transport oxygen around the body. With reference to the different levels of organisation of polypeptides explain how this molecule achieves its function.

Answer 1

$The \space hemoglobin\space molecule\space is\space made\space up \space of \space two \space parts,\space the \space Heme \space part\space and\space the \space Globin\space part.\newline This\space molecule\space consists \space of\space a\space protein\space that\space has\space four\space chains.Haemoglobin \space has\space high\newline affinity\space for\space oxygen.\space It\space transfers\space oxygen\space in\space form\space of\space oxyhemoglobin\space and \space then \newline absorbed\space to\space tissue\space through\space concentration\space gradient\space diffussion.\space The\space Heme \space part\space contains\newline ferric\space ion \space which\space may\space be\space in\space two\space states,Fe2+ \space state\space or\space Fe3+\space state.\space Fereihemoglobin\space (Fe3+) does \space not\space bind\space with\space oxygen\space and\space therefore\space iron\space must\space be \newline in\space +2\space oxidization \space state.\newline Hemoglobin \space molecule\space has\space Bohr \space effect\space which\ creates\ the \ overall\ sensitivity\ of\ a\newline protein\ to\ pH\ changes \ and \ this\ allows \ body\ to \ transfer\ the\ required\ amount \ of \ of\newline oxygen.$