Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biochemistry4h 34m
2. Water3h 23m
3. Amino Acids8h 10m
4. Protein Structure10h 4m
5. Protein Techniques14h 5m
6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics13h 38m
7. Enzyme Inhibition and Regulation 8h 42m
8. Protein Function 9h 41m
9. Carbohydrates7h 49m
10. Lipids5h 49m
11. Biological Membranes and Transport 6h 37m
12. Biosignaling9h 45m
Review 1: Nucleic Acids, Lipids, & Membranes2h 47m
Review 2: Biosignaling, Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, & PP-Pathway3h 12m
Review 3: Pyruvate & Fatty Acid Oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle, & Glycogen Metabolism2h 26m
Review 4: Amino Acid Oxidation, Oxidative Phosphorylation, & Photophosphorylation1h 48m

8. Protein Function

Hemoglobin Cooperativity

Biochemistry

8. Protein Function

Hemoglobin Cooperativity

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Multiple Choice

In the context of hemoglobin cooperativity, what molecule binds directly to the iron atoms within the heme groups of a hemoglobin molecule?

Glucose

Carbon dioxide (CO$_2$)

Oxygen (O$_2$)

Nitrogen (N$_2$)

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the structure of hemoglobin: Hemoglobin is a protein composed of four subunits, each containing a heme group. The heme group consists of a porphyrin ring with an iron (Fe) atom at its center.

Recognize the role of the iron atom: The iron atom within the heme group is responsible for binding molecules. It is in the Fe$^{2+}$ (ferrous) state, which allows it to interact with specific ligands.

Identify the molecule that binds directly to the iron atom: Oxygen (O$_2$) binds directly to the iron atom in the heme group during the process of oxygen transport in the blood.

Understand cooperativity in hemoglobin: Hemoglobin exhibits cooperative binding, meaning that the binding of one oxygen molecule increases the affinity of the remaining subunits for oxygen. This is crucial for efficient oxygen delivery to tissues.

Eliminate incorrect options: Glucose does not bind to the iron atom, carbon dioxide (CO$_2$) binds to hemoglobin at a different site (not the iron atom), and nitrogen (N$_2$) does not bind to hemoglobin under physiological conditions. Therefore, the correct answer is oxygen (O$_2$).