Iron Part II Flashcards
Iron is present as a part of heme in which 3 heme proteins?
- Hemoglobin
- Myoglobin
- Cytochromes (located in ETC)
(TRUE/FALSE)
In hemoglobin/myoglobin, iron can form a loose bond with oxygen.
TRUE.
Hemoglobin will directly bind to oxygen, allowing us to transport it from the lungs to the peripheral tissue
What does hemoglobin do?
Allows oxygen transport from the lungs to tissue
What does myoglobin do?
Allows for the transitional storage of oxygen in muscle
What do cytochromes do?
Allows for the transport of electrons through the respiratory chain, which is important for us to generate ATP
Where is hemoglobin synthesized?
in RBCs
What % of total oxygen is found in blood?
~98.5%
RBCs also pick-up CO2 from the tissue and transport the CO2 to the lungs to be exhaled
How many hemoglobin molecules do a RBC contain?
Millions of hemoglobin
How much of our total body iron is stored in RBCs?
~65%
What is the structure of hemoglobin?
4 heme & 4 globin chains
These form 2 dimers and the molecule itself is referred to as a quaternary structure
What is the structure of myoglobin?
Single heme & single globin chain
(therefore, the oxygen capacity is greatly diminished because there is only one chain and it can only bind 1 molecule of oxygen)
Where is myoglobin found?
Present ONLY in muscles (heart & skeletal muscle)
How much of our total body iron is found in myoglobin?
~10%
What is the function of myoglobin?
Transports and stores oxygen within muscles and releases O2 to meet increased metabolic needs during muscle contraction
Where are cytochromes located?
within the membrane of the ETC
What is the function of cytochromes?
Cytochrome b and c pass along single electrons
Cytochrome P450 of enzymes
Functions in a similar manner within the liver, which requires iron to function
It is involved in drug metabolism and steroid hormone synthesis
What are some iron-containing enzymes?
These enzymes require iron for the reactions to occur
NADH dehydrogenase
Succinate dehydrogenase
Monooxygenases
Dioxygenases
Who is at the greatest risk for iron deficiency?
Older infants
Young children
Women of child bearing age
How many people worldwide have iron deficiency?
2 to 5 billion
~700 million with iron deficiency anemia