EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Each hemoglobin molecule is made up of four heme groups surrounding a globin group, forming a tetrahedral structure.

Detailed explanation-2: -The hemoglobin molecule is made up of four polypeptide chains (Alpha 1, Beta 1, Alpha 2, Beta 2), noncovalently bound to each other. There are four heme-iron complexes. Each chain holds a heme group containing one Fe++ atom. The heme-iron complexes are colored red because they give hemoglobin its red color.

Detailed explanation-3: -Hemoglobin is a complex protein which has a quaternary structure and contains iron. There are four subunits in the hemoglobin molecule-two alpha subunits and two beta subunits.

Detailed explanation-4: -Four heme groups containing iron atoms are attached with four globular proteins from the hemoglobin molecule. The iron atom is present in +2 oxidation state in deoxyhemoglobin and +3 oxidation state in oxyhemoglobin.

Detailed explanation-5: -Heme (iron protoporphyrin IX) belongs to the highly conserved superfamily of tetrapyrrolic compounds and serves as an oxygen-binding prosthetic group for the protein hemoglobin.