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In: Biology

What is Hemoglobin, its structure, function, normal levels and the types of hemoglobin in humans?

What is Hemoglobin, its structure, function, normal levels and the types of hemoglobin in humans?

Solutions

Expert Solution

Hemoglobin: 

  • It is a type of globular protein present in RBC that transports oxygen in our body through blood.

Structure:

  • In 1959, the molecular structure of hemoglobin was described by Max Perutz.

  • It is a tetrameric protein.

  • The main type of hemoglobin in adults is made up of 2 subunits - α and β.

  • Each polypeptide is linked to a heme prosthetic group.

  • α - subunit is made up of alpha polypeptide chains having 141 amino acid residues.

  • β - subunit is made up of beta polypeptide chains having 146 amino acid residues.

  • Heme group: It is an iron containing prosthetic group which is attached to each polypeptide chain.

Normal levels:

 

Age group Hemoglobin count (gm/dl)
1. New born babies 17-22
2. Children 11-13
3. Adults (Ma)le 14-18
4. Adults (Female) 12-16
5. Elderly (Male) 12.4-14.9
6. Elderly (Female) 11.7-13.8

 

Types of Hemoglobin:

  • There are 7 types of hemoglobin molecules throughout a human's life.
  • 4- when you are an embryo, 1- once you develop into a fetus and then as an adult you have 2.

Embryonic hemoglobin:

  • The form of hemoglobin most common and in highest proportion in an embryo is Hemoglobin Gower I.

1.  Hemoglobin Gower I - The 4 polypeptide chains that compose this type of Hb are 2 zeta and 2 epsilon chains.

  • The other 3 forms of Hb are present at much lower levels and are:

2. Hemoglobin Gower II - Composed of 2 alpha and 2 epsilon chains.

3. Hemoglobin Portland I - Composed of 2 zeta and 2 gamma polypeptides chains.

4. Hemoglobin Portland II - Composed of 2 zeta and 2 beta polypeptide chains.

  • Once an embryo develops into a fetus and the 4 types of embryonic Hb molecules disappear.
  • They are replaced by Hb F.
  • This type of Hb is used due to having a greater affinity for oxygen than adult Hb.
  • Therefore, the growing fetus is able to take its mother's oxygen which is in her bloodstream.
  • hb F remains in the child's bloo until it is around six months and then almost all of it is replaced with adult Hb.

 Adult Hemoglobin:

  • There are 2 types of adult Hb which include Hb A and Hb A2.
  • Hb A - It has 2 alpha chains and 2 beta chains.
  • Hb A2 - It has 2 alpha polypeptides and 2 delta polypeptides.
  • There is also a small amount of Hb F remaining.
  • Hb A is the most prevalent as it makes up about 97% of adult Hb.

Hemoglobin: 

Hemoglobin is defined as the protein molecule in red blood cells which carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.

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