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Dictionary » H » Haem

Haem

A complex red organic pigment containing iron and other atoms to which oxygen binds.haem

1. (Science: biochemistry) compounds of iron complexed in a porphyrin (tetrapyrrole) ring that differ in side chain composition. Haems are the prosthetic groups of cytochromes and are found in most oxygen carrier proteins.

2. (Science: prefix) haem-, eaning relating to blood.

Origin: g. Haima a ring like structure found in haemoglobin giving it its characteristic red colour.


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confusion over protein tertiary structre (and enzymes)

... structure, i thought this meant that globular proteins only have one polypeptide chain, but later the notes say how globular proteins such has haem contain 4 polypeptide chains, given that this is more than one should they not hav a quaternary structure?

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by chartsy
Wed Apr 06, 2011 7:18 pm
 
Forum: Molecular Biology
Topic: confusion over protein tertiary structre (and enzymes)
Replies: 2
Views: 1681

Prosthetic groups

... provide a protein with properties that are necessary for its function that it would not otherwise have. (E.g. O2 binding capability of iron in Haem portion of haemoglobin.) Does anyone have a good explanation for this that they could share?

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by dawn1070
Thu Jun 17, 2010 2:29 am
 
Forum: Molecular Biology
Topic: Prosthetic groups
Replies: 1
Views: 1201

Re: The Color of blood

Well it is due to Hemoglobin present of blood. Also iron-haem group is present at the center of each haemoglobin molecule which absorbs light in the blue portion of the spectrum, leaving a red colour.

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by leosmith678
Fri Apr 30, 2010 9:14 am
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: The Color of blood
Replies: 50
Views: 245341

General questions about Haemoglobin molecule

chlorophyll is similar to haem, haemoglobin is protein, whereas chlorophyll and haem are low-molecular molecules ;)

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by JackBean
Sun Feb 07, 2010 5:48 pm
 
Forum: Molecular Biology
Topic: General questions about Haemoglobin molecule
Replies: 6
Views: 10798

Heme group question

A heme/haem is a group so the terminology is interchangable. You don't need to put the word "group" on the end of it for it to mean the same thing. Hence when it says "heme is a prosthetic group" it could ...

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by stopherlogic
Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:55 am
 
Forum: Molecular Biology
Topic: Heme group question
Replies: 7
Views: 5670
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