How do the subunits of hemoglobin work together?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the collaborative function of hemoglobin subunits in oxygen transport. It seeks to identify the accurate description of how these subunits interact and influence each other.
Answer
The subunits undergo conformational changes upon ligand binding, enhancing each other's affinity for oxygen cooperatively.
The subunits of hemoglobin work together through changes in their conformation. When a ligand such as oxygen binds to a subunit, it causes a tertiary conformational change. This change is transmitted to other subunits through direct communication, particularly between the α1 and β2 subunits, leading to an increased affinity for the ligand at other heme sites. This process facilitates cooperative binding, meaning that the binding of one oxygen molecule increases the likelihood of additional oxygen molecules binding.
Answer for screen readers
The subunits of hemoglobin work together through changes in their conformation. When a ligand such as oxygen binds to a subunit, it causes a tertiary conformational change. This change is transmitted to other subunits through direct communication, particularly between the α1 and β2 subunits, leading to an increased affinity for the ligand at other heme sites. This process facilitates cooperative binding, meaning that the binding of one oxygen molecule increases the likelihood of additional oxygen molecules binding.
More Information
Hemoglobin’s ability to bind oxygen increases as successive oxygen molecules attach, characterized by a sigmoidal oxygen-binding curve due to cooperative interactions between its subunits.
Tips
Confusing the mechanism of binding can lead to difficulties. Remember that bonds are not covalent but involve nonpolar interactions and hydrogen bonds.
Sources
- Hemoglobin - PMC - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Structure-function relations of human hemoglobins - PMC - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Hemoglobin - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
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