Heme group
Heme Group
The Heme Group (pronounced /heem/), also known as haem in British English, is a crucial component of various proteins and enzymes in the human body. It is a complex molecule that contains an iron atom at its center, surrounded by a large organic ring called a porphyrin.
Etymology
The term "heme" is derived from the Greek word "haima" meaning blood. This is due to the molecule's significant role in hemoglobin, the protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood.
Structure and Function
The heme group is a cyclic compound consisting of four pyrrole rings linked by methine bridges. The iron atom at the center can form two additional bonds, one of which is typically with a protein side-chain. This allows the heme group to bind gases like oxygen (O2) and carbon monoxide (CO).
Heme groups are integral parts of proteins that function in oxygen transport (Hemoglobin and Myoglobin), electron transfer (Cytochromes), and other processes. In hemoglobin, for example, the heme group binds oxygen in the lungs and releases it in tissues where it is needed.
Related Terms
- Porphyrin: The organic ring structure in a heme group.
- Hemoglobin: The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells that contains heme groups.
- Myoglobin: A protein found in muscle tissue that stores oxygen and also contains heme groups.
- Cytochromes: Proteins that play a key role in the electron transport chain and contain heme groups.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Heme group
- Wikipedia's article - Heme group
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