Heme complex

[Matthew Chan 1B]

Can someone explain what the Heme complex is and what significance/applications it has? Thanks.

[Jamie Lee 1H]

Heme can bind gases and transport them throughout an organism. It can also hold electrons and facilitate reaction in the electron transport chain.

[Kyla Grunden 1L]

Here's a video I think does a good job of explaining it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gkbxvIo_nw

[Christine Honda 2I]

A heme complex forms when an iron ion binds to the porphyrin ligand. The porphyrin ligand is a tetradentate ring structure, meaning the fact that there are four nitrogens facing inward that can can form coordination complexes with the iron. When this complex binds with another protein they make up myoglobin which is responsible for transporting O2 in muscles cells.

[Gabriella Bates 2L]

The heme complex is an iron ion bound to a porphyrin ligand, which is a cage like molecule consisting of four tetradentate square planar nitrogen molecules. When the heme complex binds to a protein, it creates myglobin. Myglobin is important because the structure of the molecule allows the iron ion to bind to O2 molecules, absorbing and de-absorbing O2 as the local pressure of oxygen changes. This allows O2 to be transported in muscle cells throughout the body.

[Nathan Rothschild_2D]

How would something like this appear on a test? would we define it or say why it's needed or what?

[Aarja Pavade 1H]

How would something like this appear on a test? would we define it or say why it's needed or what?

I believe that it could have to do with identifying that the Fe bound to the porphyrin ligand is the heme complex or that a heme complex and protein form myoglobin. Knowing the definition would help with identifying the complex.

[Nuoya Jiang]

I think on a test, we would be asked to identify which transition metal is bound to which ligand at least, and describe why this is important for all living things?

[sbottomley3a]

On a test we would most likely have to identity which ligands were bound to which transition metal, and identify if this had any biological significance based on what we know about it's properties (given the charge and any background info the question gives us on where in the body this works or what kind of pathway/process this molecule is used for).