Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is an iron-containing protein in red blood cells that binds oxygen cooperatively, transports it from lungs to tissues, and carries some carbon dioxide back toward the lungs.

Heme: Heme is an iron-containing molecular group that binds gases and serves as a cofactor in several proteins. Each hemoglobin subunit holds oxygen at the iron atom in its heme group.
Globin fold: The globin fold is a compact protein structure built mainly from eight alpha helices surrounding a heme-binding pocket. Hemoglobin’s subunits use this shared structural framework to hold heme.
Complete blood count: A complete blood count is a blood test measuring red cells, white cells, platelets, and related indices. Its hemoglobin measurement helps assess anemia and other blood disorders.
Hemoglobin A: Hemoglobin A is the predominant adult human hemoglobin, composed of two alpha and two beta chains. It is the standard form underlying most descriptions of adult hemoglobin.
Cooperative binding: Cooperative binding occurs when a molecule’s binding at one site changes binding at other sites on the same protein. Oxygen binding at one hemoglobin subunit makes oxygen bind more readily at the others.
Alpha globin: Alpha globin is a globin protein chain encoded by genes in the human alpha-globin gene cluster. Two alpha-globin chains form half of adult hemoglobin A’s tetramer.
Anemia: Anemia is a condition in which blood has insufficient oxygen-carrying capacity, often because hemoglobin or red-cell levels are low. Low hemoglobin is a common basis for diagnosing and classifying anemia.
Fetal hemoglobin: Fetal hemoglobin is the principal hemoglobin before birth, composed of two alpha and two gamma chains. Its higher oxygen affinity helps fetal blood obtain oxygen from maternal blood.
Bohr effect: The Bohr effect is the decrease in hemoglobin’s oxygen affinity as carbon dioxide or acidity rises. Active tissues promote oxygen release by increasing carbon dioxide and acidity.
Beta globin: Beta globin is a globin protein chain encoded by the HBB gene on chromosome 11. Two beta-globin chains pair with alpha chains in adult hemoglobin A.

Linked from 71 pages