What is denaturation of a protein?
Denaturation is basically when a protein falls apart or unfolds due to heat, organic solvents, detergents, acids, base, etc. This causes proteins to precipitate within a cell. Think of abnormal hemoglobin that forms improperly. It can precipitate inside RBCs and lead to hemolysis. Chapter 3: Globular and Fibrous Proteins 1. What is heme? A: Heme is a combination of a protoporphyrin ring and an iron (Fe) atom. The protoporphyrin ring is essentially an outer ring of 20 carbon atoms and an inner ring of 4 nitrogen atoms. Various side chains are attached in different forms of heme. The Fe atom is bound in the center by the 4 nitrogen atoms. 2. Name three roles of heme in proteins A: In hemoglobin, there are four heme groups each of which transports one molecule of oxygen to tissue (in myoglobin, there is only one heme). In catalase, the Fe atom of the heme is the active site for breakdown of hydrogen peroxide. In cytochromes, heme is often involved in electron transfer reactions by cycling
