Can you define hemoglobin?
Asked by Roushan Raj
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2 Answers
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The oxygen-carrying pigment and predominant protein in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin forms an unstable, reversible bond with oxygen. In its oxygenated state, it is called oxyhemoglobin and is bright red. In the reduced state, it is called deoxyhemoglobin and is purple-blue.
Each hemoglobin molecule is made up of four heme groups surrounding a globin group. Heme contains iron and gives a red color to the molecule. Globin consists of two linked pairs of polypeptide chains. The development of each chain is controlled at a separate genetic locus. Changes in the amino acid sequence of these chains result in abnormal hemoglobins. For exampl...more
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