In: Chemistry
Write an essay on the role of transition metals (Mg, Fe2+,Fe3+, Cobalt, copper 1+ and 2+ and Zn2+) in biological systems. You should discuss the properties of transition metals that make them more or less suited to each specific role. You must include examples of a metalloprotein specific to each role. You may use diagrams to help illustrate your answer. You should consider the redox properties of metals and Hard-Soft Acid-Base theory in your answer and the way that ligands influence the activities of the metals in your examples.
Role of Transition metals in biological system:-
Role of Mg:- Magnesium is an important constituent of chlorophyll. Mg ion is necessary for the activation of phosphate transfer enzymes and in carbohydrate metabolism.
Role of Fe2+ and Fe+3 ion:- Fe2+ ion is an essential constituent of haemoglobin and myoglobin involved in transporting and storing oxygen. In cytochromes, iron occur in either +2 or +3 oxidation state.Iron is an important constituent of ferrodoxins, rubredoxins, siderophores and transferrins.
Role of Co:- It is a constituent of vitamin B12 and activates a number of enzymes. Cobalt in traces is essential for the healthy growth of animals.
Role of Cu+1 & Cu+2 ion :- Copper (+1 & +2) is an important constituent of hemocyanin which is involved in oxygen transport in many species of Molluscs and Arthopoda. Copper containing enzymes play an important role in the pigmentation of skin, functioning of brain and in iron metabolism. Cu is also an essential part of blue copper proteins like azurin, stellacyanin and plastocyanin.
Role of Ligands in altering the activity of metals in biological system:-
Ligands greatly influence the activity of metals present in our biological system. For e.g., in cytochromes, the electron donating and electron withdrawing substituents attached to macrocyclic pyrrole ring have the ability to tune the delocalised molecular orbitals of complex and thus vary its redox properties.
This type of effects is also shown in haemoglobin, as we know that iron in +2 oxidation state is soft metal action and can easily bind to CO , which is soft ligand in preference of oxygen . This situation is lethal as it cause carbon monoxide poisoning.