Protoheme (Noun)
Meaning
A complex red organic pigment containing iron and other atoms to which oxygen binds.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Hemoglobin's functional groups consist of four polypeptide chains each attached to a protoheme, enabling oxygen to bind to the iron within the pigment.
- Protoheme in myoglobin plays a key role in binding and storing oxygen in muscles.
- A complex of a protoheme with a specific protein produces various heme-containing biomolecules in living organisms.
- Oxygen binding occurs through a coordination bond to the iron atom within the protoheme group in the protein structure.
- Myoglobin stores oxygen in its protoheme for extended periods and quickly releases oxygen to muscles as needed.