In: Biology
why is hemoglobin a globular protein
Hemoglobin is a conjugated protein (molecular weight 67,000 Daltons) composed of the protein globin and a prosthetic group known as heme. Each hemoglobin molecule contains four subunits held together by non covalent forces. is subunit consists of a molecule attached to a polypeptide. the four polypeptides (2 alpha and 2 beta) of a hemoglobin molecule are collectively called globin. Each Alpha globin chain has 141 amino acids and beta globin chains have 146 amino acids each. When a protein contains more than one polypeptide chain, it is called a quaternary protein. It is also called as globular proteins. Examples of other globular proteins: enzymes, myoglobin.
Globular proteins form a sphere. The hydrophobic ends go inside the sphere whereas the hydrophilic polymer ends get arranged at the outer surface of the sphere. This makes the globular proteins water soluble. As the human body mostly contains water, all the reactions that occur in human body have to occur in aqueous medium therefore the major proteins like enzymes, hemoglobin have to be water soluble. Hence hemoglobin is a globular protein. Hemoglobin is present in the cytoplasm of RBCs which float in the blood. Hence it is present in aqueous medium.
Structure of tetrameric Hemoglobin and structure of heme::