haemoglobin

Question 1

what kind of protein is haemoglobin

Answer 1

globular protein

Question 2

what is haemoglobin is what

Answer 2

oxygen-carrying pigment found in vast quantities in red blood cells

Question 3

Haemoglobin has a …………………structure as it is made up of ………….. polypeptide chains

Answer 3

quaternary 4

Question 4

Red blood cells are biconcave discs, meaning that they are concave on both sides
This creates a

Answer 4

high SA:V ratio for the diffusion of gases

Question 5

Red blood cells do not contain a nucleus
This provides

Answer 5

more space inside the cell for haemoglobin so that they can transport as much oxygen as possible

Question 6

These chains or subunits are globin proteins

Answer 6

two α–globins and two β–globins) and each subunit has a prosthetic haem group

Question 7

The four globin subunits are held together by disulphide bonds and arranged so that their hydrophobic R groups are facing inwards, helping to preserve the

Answer 7

three-dimensional spherical shape, and the hydrophilic R groups are facing outwards, helping to maintain solubility

Question 8

The prosthetic haem group contains an iron II ion (Fe2+) which is able to

Answer 8

reversibly combine with an oxygen molecule, forming oxyhaemoglobin
The presence of oxyhaemoglobin causes blood to appear bright red in colour

Question 9

Each haemoglobin with the four haem groups can therefore carry four oxygen molecules, or eight oxygen atoms

The haem group is the same for all types of haemoglobin but the globin chains can differ substantially between haemoglobins from different species