Chapter 33: Problem 2

What are metalloporphyrins? Discuss the structures of haemoglobin and myoglobin.

Short Answer

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Metalloporphyrins are organic compounds formed by the coordination of a metal ion with a porphyrin. Haemoglobin, a complex protein present in red blood cells, is made up of four polypeptide chains, each linked to a haem group. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. Myoglobin, found primarily in muscle tissue, is a monomeric protein composed of a single polypeptide chain associated with a haem group. It stores oxygen for later use.

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Define Metalloporphyrins

Metalloporphyrins are organic compounds formed by the coordination of a metal ion, usually located at the center, with a porphyrin. A porphyrin is a large ring-like molecule made up of four smaller pyrrole subunits, which are interconnected at their alpha carbon atoms via methine bridges (=CH-).

Discuss the structure of Haemoglobin

Haemoglobin is a complex protein found in red blood cells that contains iron; it carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body. It's a tetrameric protein with a quaternary structure, meaning it's composed of four polypeptide chains: two alpha chains and two beta chains. Each of these chains is associated with a haem group, a metalloporphyrin, which contains an iron molecule at its center. The iron molecules allow haemoglobin to bind to oxygen.

Describe the structure of Myoglobin

Myoglobin is a protein found primarily in muscle tissue that binds to oxygen and stores it for later use. It's a monomeric, globular protein composed of a single polypeptide chain associated with a haem group, which acts as a site for oxygen binding due to the central iron molecule. The environment provided by the surrounding protein allows the isolated myoglobin to bind one molecule of oxygen.

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What are metalloporphyrins? Discuss the structures of haemoglobin and myoglobin.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Define Metalloporphyrins

Discuss the structure of Haemoglobin

Describe the structure of Myoglobin

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