biological function?

Question

1) what is the biological function of hemoglobin?

2) why is important that hemoglobin binds O2 reversibly rather than irreversibly?

3)Why is important that hemoglobin binds CO reversibly rather than irreversibly?

4) what is the rol of nitrate and nitrite in water pollution as it relates to hemoglobin. What hazard does this pose for humans

Answer 1

1. Hemoglobin picks up oxygen from the lungs and delivers it to the cells of the body.
2. The bonding has to be reversible so the hemoglobin will give up the oxygen to the cells rather than holding onto the oxygen indefinitely.
3. CO can bond to the hemoglobin and "tie it up" so that the hemoglobin can't carry oxygen. It's a good thing that hemoglobin can eventually release the CO so the hemoglobin can begin carrying oxygen again.
4. According to the site listed below, "Infants under six months of age are susceptible to nitrate poisoning. Bacteria that live in the digestive tracts of newborn babies convert nitrate to nitrite (NO2). Nitrite then reacts with hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in blood, to form methemoglobin. Methemoglobin cannot carry oxygen, thus the affected baby suffers oxygen deficiency. The resulting condition is referred to as methemoglobinemia, commonly called "blue baby syndrome."