Comparison of Fetal and Maternal Hemoglobins.Studies of oxygen transport in pregnant mammals show that the O2-saturation curves of fetal and maternal blood are markedly different when measured under the same conditions. Fetal erythrocytes contain a structural variant of hemoglobin, HbF, consisting oftwo a and two g subunits (α2γ2), whereas maternal erythrocytes contain HbA (α2β2). a)Which hemoglobin has a higher affinity for oxygen under physiological conditions, HbA or HbF? Explain. b)What is the physiological significance of the different O2 affinities? c)When all the BPG is carefully removed from samples of HbA and HbF, the measured O2-saturation curves (and consequently the O2affinities) are displaced to the left. However, HbA now has a greater affinity for oxygen than does HbF. When BPG is reintroduced, the O2-saturation curves return to normal, as shown in the graph. What is the effect of BPG on the O2affinity of hemoglobin? How can the above information be used to explain the different O2affinities of fetal and maternal hemoglobin?
Proteins
We generally tend to think of proteins only from a dietary lens, as a component of what we eat. However, they are among the most important and abundant organic macromolecules in the human body, with diverse structures and functions. Every cell contains thousands and thousands of proteins, each with specific functions. Some help in the formation of cellular membrane or walls, some help the cell to move, others act as messages or signals and flow seamlessly from one cell to another, carrying information.
Protein Expression
The method by which living organisms synthesize proteins and further modify and regulate them is called protein expression. Protein expression plays a significant role in several types of research and is highly utilized in molecular biology, biochemistry, and protein research laboratories.
Comparison of Fetal and Maternal Hemoglobins.Studies of oxygen transport in pregnant mammals show that the O2-saturation curves of fetal and maternal blood are markedly different when measured under the same conditions. Fetal erythrocytes contain a structural variant of hemoglobin, HbF, consisting oftwo a and two g subunits (α2γ2), whereas maternal erythrocytes contain HbA (α2β2).
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