Chapter 29, Problem 29.41AP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The number of oxygen molecules which can be bound by each haemoglobin tetramer has to be given.

Concept Introduction:

Three main types of cells in blood are:

• Red blood cells or erythrocytes
• White blood cells or leukocytes
• Platelets

Red blood cells:

• Also known as erythrocytes and the major function is to transport blood gases.
• % of erythrocyte is haemoglobin which is the transporter of ${\text{O}}_{\text{2}}\text{and}{\text{CO}}_{\text{2}}$

Haemoglobin:

• Composed of four polypeptide chain with a quaternary structure.
• A central heme molecule is there in each protein chain and each of the four hemes can bind with one ${\text{O}}_{\text{2}}$ molecule.
• Each heme molecule in its centre has ${\text{Fe}}^{\text{+2}}$
• The bright red haemoglobin with four oxygens is called oxy haemoglobin.
• The dark red-purple haemoglobin in which one or more oxygen is lost is called deoxyhaemoglobin.