Hemoglobin

About Hemoglobin:

Hemoglobin is a metalloprotein found in red blood cells. Responsible for carrying oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body, this protein is crucial to the function of your body, and this is the case for the majority of organisms living on Earth. Most people will have 12 to 20 grams of Hemoglobin in each 100 mL of their blood.

Hemoglobin Mechanism
Thanks to the high iron content of Hemoglobin, this protein is able to bind with both oxygen and carbon dioxide. Oxygen will be bound at the lungs, enabling your blood to transport this vital resource to your muscles. Once oxygen is used, Hemoglobin that is making its way back to the lungs can pick up the carbon dioxide that is left as a result, enabling you to breathe it back out.

Hemoglobin Interactions
A Hemoglobin molecule consists of two sets of subunits; two alpha and two beta. Each of these subunits can bind with one oxygen molecule, allowing each Hemoglobin to bond with four oxygen molecules. These interactions are known as hydrophobic interactions, and this means that they need hydrogen to work properly.

Hemoglobin Structure
As mentioned above, the structure of Hemoglobin molecules is based on four subunits. Each of these subunits contains a heme molecule, making up the vast majority of the iron in your body. The structure of Hemoglobin enables it to perform a reversible reaction with oxygen, and this is what makes it perfect for carrying this vital resource around your body.